2027: Alia/Suswam Vs Akume/Ortom Battle For The Soul Of Benue

As parties’ governorship primary elections begin next month, April, ahead of the 2027 general elections, AZA MSUE writes that in Benue State, it is Governor Hyacinth Alia and ex-governor Gabriel Suswam versus Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and former governor Samuel Ortom that are battling for the soul of the state.

The political landscape in Benue State is becoming slippery as two camps have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over disagreements and irreconcilable differences ahead of the general elections.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has former governor Gabriel Suwam, who recently joined APC to his side, while Secretary to the of the Federation, George Akume, pitched tent with former governor Samuel Ortom, who is the leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in what Ortom described as a strategic partnership to dislodge Governor Alia

The four gladiators from two camps have perfected strategies to outmanoeuvre one another and take control of Benue State in the next dispensation.

Senator Suwam and former PDP national chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade from Benue North East popularly known as zone A are supporting the re-election of Governor Alia for second term.

Though Akume remains silent over Alia’s second term, his core of loyalists have opposed the incumbent governor’s re-election bid, as some of them have indicated interest in contesting the governorship.

However, Akume and Ortom from Benue North West known as zone B teamed up against Governor Alia ahead of 2027.

Political watchers opined that Governor Alia and his camp are in charge of wards, local governments, and state APC excos and structures in the state’s just-concluded congresses.

For fear that Governor Alia may secure the APC second-term ticket, Akume’s loyalists within the APC have started aligning and reaching out to Ortom’s opposition, the PDP, to secure one of them the governorship ticket to face Governor Alia in the general elections.

Observers of Benue politics told LEADERSHIP Sunday that Ortom, an ally of FCT minister, Nyeson Wike, is also working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If any of Akume’s loyalists wins the 2027 gubernatorial elections, he will return to the APC to take over the party.

Apart from Akume loyalists attending burials, church thanksgiving services, and other events across the state alongside Ortom, they recently attended the Benue PDP expanded caucus meeting in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, to cement their political alliance and what they called a strategic partnership.

The APC governorship aspirants and Akume’s allies who attended the recent expanded PDP caucus meeting held at the Makurdi residence of Ortom were former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council,  Pius Akutah; Executive Director, Housing Finance and Accounts of the Federal Housing Authority, Mathias Byuan and legal luminary, Sebastine Hon, SAN, among others.

The aftermath of the PDP in the state has generated reactions within the Alia, Akume’s APC and the Ortom’s PDP on the other hand.

Reacting to the PDP recent meeting attended by the ruling party’s governorship aspirants, the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  loyal to Governor Alia rejected claims by the PDP, that it was entering into, “a so-called strategic partnership” with members of the party, describing the assertion as misleading, politically opportunistic and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.

The party stated that the individuals reported to have attended the Benue PDP caucus meeting in Makurdi recently did not represent the APC in Benue State.

According to the party, those involved belong to what it described as a faceless Abuja-based faction, “which has no connection with the legitimate structure of the APC in the state led by Chief Benjamin Omale, the State Chairman”

The APC therefore dissociated itself entirely from their “actions and utterances”, noting that their appearance at a PDP political gathering reflects nothing more than “a personal political venture by individuals seeking relevance outside the recognised structure of the party. Their actions neither represent the position of the party nor reflect the interests of its members and supporters across the  State”

The party added that attempts by the PDP to portray the meeting as evidence of a credible political alliance were inaccurate and misleading.

According to the APC, the development amounts to little more than a political engagement between the PDP and a handful of politically displaced actors whose activities have no bearing on the unity, stability or direction of the APC in Benue State.

The Omale-led APC also dismissed the criticisms directed at the administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, stating that the PDP lacked the moral authority to question a government steadily restoring order, discipline, and purposeful leadership in the state.

In a statement issued by the Benue State APC Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, the party noted that the years of the PDP administration in Benue State, particularly under former Governor Samuel Ortom, were marked by severe economic hardship, mounting debts, and a breakdown in public service delivery.

“During that period, civil servants and pensioners endured lack of payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, while many development projects across the state stalled”, the statement maintained.

The APC further recalled that insecurity escalated across several communities, “during that era,  while governance structures weakened and public confidence in government institutions declined significantly. These challenges, the party says, left the state grappling with deep structural and economic problems that required urgent intervention”

In contrast, the APC noted that the administration of Governor Alia was greatly changing that narrative through reforms aimed at restoring fiscal discipline, strengthening institutions and repositioning the state for sustainable development.

“The APC therefore urges Benue people to treat the political claims and alliances being promoted by the already dead Benue PDP with caution, noting that the present administration remains focused on rebuilding the state and improving the welfare of its citizens” the statement added.

On their part, the Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Akume said it has taken note of public discussions surrounding the presence of some sons of Benue State at a political meeting, organized by the strategic partnership group at the residence of former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, who is also a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in support of the second-term aspirations of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”

In a statement signed by the state APC spokesperson of the Akume’s camp, Daniel Ihomun, stated that, “For the avoidance of doubt, members of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State remain open to invitations from any political group, association, or stakeholders who share a common commitment to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the realization of his Renewed Hope Agenda” he said.

Meanwhile, Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement signed by its consultant on media and public communications, Bemgba Iortyom, said the opposition party was willing to go into a strategic partnership with other political parties in the state to produce a governor in the 2027 general polls.