Benue workers dey enjoy one-week Easter break, as lawmaker Agbese jump from APC to Labour Party

Benue State Government don announce one-week public holiday for civil servants to mark Easter celebration. The holiday wey go last for one full week na to allow workers observe the Christian festival well-well. Government officials yarn say the break go give workers chance to relax, travel, and spend time with family. Easter wey dey commemorate death and resurrection of Jesus Christ na big celebration for Nigeria, and Benue no be exception.

For inside the state, reactions from workers dey positive. Many of them dey happy say the extended break go help them rest and reconnect with loved ones. Some even talk say the holiday fit boost local businesses as people go dey travel and spend money for the festive period. But essential service providers like healthcare and security personnel go still dey work to make sure services no cut.

Government don advise travellers to follow road safety measures, and dem call on citizens to maintain peace throughout the holiday. This advice come at time wey Benue still dey face security concerns, especially from farmer-herder clashes. So the call for peace na important one.

Meanwhile, for political side, one big gist dey shake Benue. The member wey dey represent Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency for House of Representatives, Phillip Agbese, don defect from All Progressives Congress (APC) to Labour Party (LP). Agbese wey be deputy spokesperson for House announce the move on Tuesday during plenary.

The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, read Agbese letter alongside 25 other defection letters. Tajudeen even note say Agbese move na rare one because e dey from majority party go minority party. After the announcement, Agbese talk to journalists say im decision na based on wetin im constituents want. “Our people don take firm position say Labour Party na the vehicle wey go carry them reach their expected destination for 2027,” Agbese yarn. “As servant of the people, we no get choice but to align with that position.”

Agbese deny say im defection get anything to do with governorship ambition. “No governorship ambition dey for sight now,” im talk. “We no fit rule out future, but for now, this one na about service. E no be about me; e be about party and people of Benue State.” Im focus now na to strengthen Labour Party structure for the state ahead of 2027 elections.

This defection come happen as APC for Benue dey face internal crisis. The crisis largely dey linked to rift between state governor, Hyacinth Alia, and Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume. The matter don dey since after 2023 elections, and e don polarize the party for the state.

Alia wey win governorship on APC platform don face resistance from Akume loyalists. Akume na former governor wey many see as party political leader for Benue. Both camps don dey trade accusations over control of party structures. Efforts to reconcile them, including interventions by Presidency, APC national leadership, and Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, never produce lasting solution.

Although Agbese deny say the crisis make am leave APC, political observers believe say the instability for inside the party fit contribute to shifting loyalties among stakeholders. Despite leaving APC, Agbese still show gratitude to Akume. “He remain my father and greatest benefactor. I dey grateful to am,” Agbese talk, but still insist say im decision na solely based on constituents will.

Agbese talk say grassroots support for Labour Party for im constituency influence im move. Im cite party registration figures to support im claim say LP don gain significant traction within short period. “If you be good leader, you must listen to people and follow direction wey dem dey go,” im yarn.

Now, focus don shift to 2027 elections. Agbese talk say im immediate priority na to reposition Labour Party for electoral success for Benue. “This na new party and new family. E no be time to fight; e be time to win elections,” im talk. Im acknowledge party national leadership, including chairman Nenadi Usman and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, wey im describe as key figure for the party.

Agbese add say Labour Party go contest all elections for Benue State and fit align with broader national strategies depending on decisions wey dem go take ahead of 2027. “Our strategy dey centred on how Labour Party go win elections for Benue State,” im talk. “For now, e be about people, mama, papa and ‘pikin’ and delivering dividends of democracy.”

So as Benue workers dey enjoy their Easter break, political landscape for the state don begin shift. The defection of Agbese from APC to LP na significant move wey fit affect 2027 elections. And with internal crisis still dey APC, many dey watch to see wetin go happen next. But for now, Agbese insist say im move na about serving people wey elect am, no be about personal ambition or party quarrel.