Benue APC Peace Deal Under Threat As Alia, Akume Disagree Over Automatic Tickets

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, held a peace and reconciliation meeting to resolve disagreements within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s primaries and the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed Governor Alia and Akume to come together and work as one APC family in the state ahead of the 2027 polls.

The peace parley, which was earlier scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026, was rescheduled to Sunday, May 3, 2026, and held at the Government House, Makurdi.

Attendees at the meeting included 10 elders and stakeholders from Akume’s camp, 10 from Governor Alia’s camp, members of the Benue State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly from the state, as well as federal government appointees from Benue.

Before the commencement of the meeting, Akume, who arrived with his delegation, met Governor Alia, and both leaders later moved into the governor’s private office for a closed-door session.

After the reconciliation meeting, LEADERSHIP observed that Governor Alia did not support the position of Akume, who called for automatic tickets for those elected on the platform of the APC, from the State Assembly to the National Assembly.

Those expected to benefit from the automatic tickets were largely loyalists of Akume.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Governor Alia said the issue of automatic tickets for APC-elected State and National Assembly members was beyond both him and Akume.

Responding to a question on whether he supported Akume’s appeal, Alia said:
“No, I think that is beyond both of us because the APC has made it very clear. Mr President has mentioned this several times, and the National Chairman of the APC has also stated that there is no automatic ticket. I think this is more of an appeal to the people of the state rather than a resolution.

“Akume is appealing to the people to look deeply and see how they can support those currently serving. This is a reconciliatory meeting, and he has the right to make such an appeal. It is a call to the entire citizenry to decide whether they can return these people to office,” he said.

Alia added:
“My initiative to call for this meeting is deliberate and targeted at bringing every member back together. For those who feel aggrieved, I apologise on behalf of every APC member in the state. This is about leadership and responsibility.

“When we work together, we can make Benue greater. The state is bigger than any individual. We are collectively Benue, and we are only privileged to hold these positions. It behoves me to provide leadership and take responsibility. That is why I am saying I am sorry,” he said.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, told journalists:
“All those elected on the platform of the APC, from the State Assembly to the National Assembly, are expected to return automatically. Of course, the governor is also expected to be returned to office automatically. These are the matters we discussed,” he said.

Former Benue State Governor and Benue North-East APC senatorial aspirant, Gabriel Suswam, also expressed satisfaction with the peace meeting.

Other attendees included Barnabas Gemade, Jack Gyado, members of the Benue State House of Assembly, National Assembly members, and federal appointees from the state, among others.