Benue APC Internal Cracks Deepens As SGF, Stakeholders Shun Alia Campaign Flag-off, Disown Campaign List

The crisis rocking the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on Thursday as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, serving members of the National Assembly from the state, and other stakeholders of the party shunned the campaign flag-off of Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.

The event, held at IBB Square, was largely attended by supporters loyal to the governor, while several prominent APC leaders and elected representatives were absent.

Among those absent were Senators Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East) and Titus Zam (Benue North-West), as well as members of the House of Representatives, including Asema Achado, Dickson Tarkighir, Terseer Ugbor, Sesoo Ikpagher, Sekav Iortyom, Regina Akume and Philip Agbese.

The boycott followed the earlier directive by the Austin Agada-led faction of the party, which had ordered its members nominated into Alia’s campaign council to decline their appointments. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the faction reportedly reinforced its position by urging members not to participate in the inauguration of the council.

In a related development, the Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027 has disclaimed a publication jointly signed by Benjamin Omale and Hon. James Ornguga purporting to present an Alia Campaign structure in Benue State.

In a statement signed by its Director General, Chief Akange Audu, the Alliance said the publication listed its Conveners, Senator Dr. Jack Tilley-Gyado, CON, and Elder Simon Shango, MFR, as well as its candidates for the National Assembly and Benue State House of Assembly, as members of the Alia structure.

The Alliance categorically dissociated itself from the publication, insisting that its formally published organisational and campaign structure remains the authentic and authoritative reference for its leadership and membership.

It described as contentious the purported structure designating Governor Alia as Chairman while listing the Founder and foremost political leader of the APC in Benue State, Senator George Akume, CON, merely as a member.

The group said since the APC secured victory in the 2023 general elections, the party’s established leadership and structures have been sidelined by the Alia administration, a development it blamed for the divisions currently affecting the party.

The Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and for APC candidates for the National Assembly and State Assembly who emerge from the leadership direction recognised by Senator Akume.

It also expressed concern over hardship in the state under the Alia administration, saying the 2027 process should provide an opportunity for constructive engagement on governance, accountability, party unity and the welfare of the people.

Meanwhile, speaking at the flag-off, Governor Alia expressed satisfaction with voter registration in the state, noting that Benue ranked eighth nationally. He urged residents, particularly APC members, to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, assuring them that their votes would count.

The governor appealed to aggrieved party members to put aside differences, forgive one another and work to strengthen the party.

“Let us continue to work in synergy. If, by any chance, you have bitterness in your heart, this is the time to let bitterness go and allow sweetness to come in,” he said.

He urged those not nominated as candidates not to lose hope, attributing his administration’s achievements to the leadership of the APC and President Tinubu. He also claimed the security situation had improved significantly since 2023, whenever local government areas were on the frontline of insecurity, noting that residents were gradually returning to their communities and farms.