Heavy armed security personnel on Friday laid siege on the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The Secretariat, LEADERSHIP learnt, was scheduled to host the expanded stakeholders’ caucus meeting summoned by the embattled State Chairman of the party, comrade Austin Agada.
The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun had earlier extended invitations to concerned stakeholders of the party, notifying them of the meeting slated for March 1st and 3rd at the party’s secretariat in Makurdi.
However the meeting was abruptly stopped as heavily armed security personnel were seen parading the two routes leading to the secretariat located at JS Tarka Way to prevent party chieftains from gaining access into the premises.
Recall that the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Paul Biam, had earlier in a statement addressed to the State Commissioner of Police, banned all political meetings or gatherings throughout Benue State.
“I wrote to inform you that the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has banned all political gatherings in any form, be it inter or intra party or groups in Benue State till further notice.
Biam, in the statement said the ban became necessary following intelligence received on the volatility of the security atmosphere in the state and charged the police via the notification, to enforce the directives.
Our correspondent at the venue reports that large number of Governor Alia’s supporters who were seen on the ground to ensure that the security personnel complied in enforcing the Governor’s directive.