Benue APC Power Struggle: A Tale of One State, Two Chairmen

APC congresses in Benue have produced parallel executives and two state chairmen ahead of 2027. AZA MSUE reports that the camps of Hyacinth Alia and George Akume now await a verdict from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s NWC.

The political atmosphere in the Benue State chapter of the APC has reached a boiling point as the crisis within the party over the control of its structure continues to deepen, creating visible cracks that threaten the cohesion of the ruling party in the state if not urgently addressed.

What began shortly after the 2023 general elections as subtle disagreements between key power blocs in the party has now evolved into a full-blown contest for supremacy between loyalists of Governor Hyacinth Alia and those aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

Political observers say the development has effectively placed the Benue APC at a crossroads, with the outcome of the dispute likely to shape the party’s internal dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Many analysts believe that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the national leader of the APC, possesses the political authority required to resolve the lingering crisis.

For months, party faithful and political analysts had hoped that the disagreements within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would gradually subside as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum.

However, the outcome of the recently conducted congresses by the rival camps has dashed such expectations.

Instead, the separate congresses organised by the factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the SGF, George Akume, have further entrenched the divisions within the party, with both camps producing parallel party executives and laying claim to the authentic leadership of the APC in the state.

Each camp has insisted that it conducted a legitimate congress in accordance with the party’s guidelines and therefore remains the authentic custodian of the APC structure in Benue State.

While Governor Alia’s camp conducted its congresses through elections involving delegates, the Akume camp opted for the affirmation of existing officials, conducting elections only in positions where vacancies existed.

Political watchers say the contrasting approaches adopted by the two factions highlight the depth of the power struggle currently playing out within the party.

There are also concerns among party stakeholders that the situation could further degenerate if not carefully managed by the national leadership of the APC.

It was gathered that tension may continue to build within the Benue APC as whichever camp eventually loses control of the party structure may consider defecting to another political platform or remain within the party while engaging in anti-party activities during future elections.

Some loyalists from both camps who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity admitted that genuine reconciliation may be difficult unless the national leadership intervenes decisively.

According to them, one possible solution could involve the dissolution of the parallel executives and the appointment of a caretaker committee that would accommodate representatives from both factions.

They also stressed that beyond any political intervention, there must be sincerity, compromise and mutual concessions from the two camps if lasting peace is to return to the party in the state.

How The Benue APC State Congresses Were Conducted

Governor Alia’s camp organised its state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and re-elected the state executives by consensus, with Benjamin Omale emerging as chairman.

The state congress took place at the IBB Square in Makurdi last Wednesday, where members of the State Executive Committee (EXCO) were returned to office through a voice confirmation by delegates.

The congress attracted about 1,800 accredited delegates and key stakeholders drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.

Addressing delegates and party members at the event, Governor Hyacinth Alia described the exercise as credible and transparent.

The governor commended the APC in Benue State for conducting what he described as a peaceful, rancour-free and inclusive congress.

He also acknowledged the role played by various stakeholders, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sam Egwu, who monitored the exercise, as well as the National Working Committee (NWC) Congress Committee chaired by Dr. Auwal Ishiye.

Governor Alia said the congress demonstrated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and its dedication to the people of Benue State.

He charged the newly re-elected executives to work for the unity and growth of the party.

The governor also reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called on party members to remain steadfast in their support for the administration.

Alia assured the president of his unwavering commitment to the ideals of the APC and expressed confidence that Tinubu would fulfil his campaign promises to Nigerians.

According to him, the president deserves a second term in office in order to consolidate ongoing reforms and policies.

He further assured citizens that his administration would not relent in its commitment to good governance and infrastructural development across the state.

The governor also appreciated President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their continued support for the party nationwide, particularly in Benue State.

In addition, he urged party members to sustain grassroots mobilisation through initiatives such as the APC e-registration exercise, National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment and ongoing voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and member representing Katsina-Ala/Logo/Ukum Federal Constituency, Solomon Wombo, described the congress as transparent and credible.

Wombo dismissed claims of any parallel congress, insisting that the presence of INEC officials and the 17-member National Congress Committee confirmed the legitimacy of the exercise.

He also praised Governor Alia for successfully combining governance with party organisation, noting that the state had witnessed significant infrastructural development within two and a half years.

Similarly, the chairman of the State Congress Committee from the APC National Secretariat, Dr. Auwal Isheye, urged aspirants and delegates to demonstrate sportsmanship and prioritise the overall interest of the party.

The APC State Organising Secretary, James Ornguga, also disclosed that four committees were deployed by the party’s National Secretariat to supervise the screening, appeals and conduct of the congress.

Chief Barnabas Gemade, speaking on behalf of Zone A and the Elders Advisory Council, described the congress as both a routine delegate exercise and a celebration of the performance of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Gemade recalled the historical leadership role played by Zone A in Benue politics since 1999, citing former governors Gabriel Suswam and Hyacinth Alia among the state’s most notable democratically elected leaders.

He also referenced the legacies of past leaders such as Aper Aku and Moses Adasu.

Gemade reaffirmed Zone A’s support for Governor Alia and his deputy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Other stakeholders from Zones B and C also commended the governor’s development initiatives and pledged continued support for the administration.

At the end of the congress, delegates unanimously confirmed the return of the entire State Executive Committee, which was subsequently sworn in by the chairman of the State Congress Committee.

Prominent stakeholders present at the event included the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode; former governor Senator Gabriel Suswam; former Senate President Pro Tempore Ameh Ebute; Gen. India Garba; former deputy governor Chief Steven Lawani; and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, Chief Emmanuel Jime, among others.

Akume Camp Holds Separate Congress

Meanwhile, the APC faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, also announced that it successfully conducted its own state congress at the Eunice Resort in Makurdi.

The congress culminated in the affirmation of the Comrade Austin Agada-led State Executive Committee for another four-year tenure.

The State Publicity Secretary of the faction, Dan-Morgan Ihomun, said the congress attracted statutory delegates, party leaders and stakeholders from across the state.

According to him, the exercise was characterised by unity, orderliness and a collective commitment to strengthening the party’s structures.

He noted that the congress followed earlier successful ward and local government congresses conducted by the faction.

Ihomun stated that speakers at the event pledged their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and leader of the party in the state, Senator George Akume, and the Austin Agada-led executive.

They also emphasised that the Benue APC remains united under the leadership structure anchored by Akume.

Chairman of the congress and former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and High Commissioner to Canada, Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, stressed the importance of unity, discipline and loyalty within the party.

He insisted that the leadership loyal to Akume remained the authentic structure of the APC in Benue State.

Hagher called on party members to close ranks and work together to consolidate the party’s political gains in the state.

Second Republic Senator and elder statesman, Dr Jack Tilley Gyado, also declared support for President Tinubu, Akume and the Austin Agada-led executive.

He described the leadership as critical to the stability and progress of the APC in Benue State.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event included Senator Titus Zam on behalf of the National Assembly caucus; Hon. Saater Tiseer representing members of the Benue State House of Assembly; Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN; Dr Mathias Byuan; Barr. Pius Akutah; and Barr. Mrs Patricia Kupchi.

They all reiterated their loyalty to the party’s leadership at both the state and national levels and called for intensified grassroots mobilisation across wards and local governments.

At the conclusion of the congress, delegates unanimously affirmed the continuation of the Comrade Austin Agada-led State Executive Committee for another four-year term.

Waiting For Abuja’s Verdict

With two parallel executives now laying claim to the leadership of the APC in Benue State, attention has inevitably shifted to Abuja, where the National Working Committee of the party is expected to review the reports submitted by the congress committees.

Political observers say the eventual decision of the party’s national leadership will not only determine which faction controls the party structure but may also shape political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

For many stakeholders within the Benue APC, the hope remains that the national leadership ,  and ultimately President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,  will intervene in a manner that preserves party unity while preventing the crisis from undermining the party’s electoral prospects in the state.

Until such a decision is taken, however, the Benue APC remains in an unusual position: one state, two chairmen, and a political battle whose final outcome may ultimately be decided far from Makurdi.