APC Crisis: Alia, Akume Camps Produce Parallel Excos

The All Progressives Congress (APC) camps  in Benue State – the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led bloc and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume-led team –  produced separate local government executives after parallel congresses on Saturday.

The exercise was conducted in the 23 local government areas of Benue state with each camp claiming to be authentic party leadership in the councils.

Recall that camps loyal to the two APC leaders in the state last Wednesday held separate ward congresses that produced parallel excos.

However, our correspondent gathered that the fight over recognition of authentic excos in Benue APC now moves to President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda to decide.

Supporters of the two APC camps in the state told LEADERSHIP that the final decision on the Benue congress parallel exco lists produced will be taken by President Tinubu and the party’s national chairman, Prof Yilwatda.

Commenting on the local government congresses, APC state organising secretary, James Ornguga loyal to Governor Alia, stated that any congress being conducted in Benue without the approval and backing of party’s national working committee (NWC) was an exercise in futility and waste of time, nothing that the congress was “Equally peaceful and credible”

On his part, APC State Publicity Secretary, Dan-Morgan Ihomun, loyal to Akume, in a statement at the weekend, said the non elective congresses was orderly, transparent and peaceful, “The All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State Chapter, hereby expresses its appreciation to party faithful across the 23 Local Government Areas for the impressive turnout recorded during the Local Government Congresses held on Saturday 21st February, 2026”

“The conduct of the Non-elective  Congresses across the state was orderly, peaceful, and transparent, reflecting the high level of discipline, unity, and organizational capacity within the party. The massive participation of members underscores their continued confidence in the leadership and ideals of the APC in Benue State.

The statement added, “We congratulate all existing Local Government Party Executives who were duly affirmed by their respective Congresses to continue in office for another four-year tenure”

“This reaffirmation represents a clear endorsement of your stewardship and the trust reposed in you by party members. As you assume this renewed mandate, you are encouraged to remain inclusive, transparent, and committed to strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots in line with the constitution and guiding principles of our great party.

“The party extends profound appreciation to Sen. Dr George Akume, CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Leader of the APC in Benue State and the North Central Zone, for his consistent leadership, guidance, and stabilizing role.

His experience and commitment continue to provide direction and cohesion for the party in the state” the statement said.

Meanwhile chairman of the APC Ward and Local Government Congress Committee, Usman Musa, has disclosed that his team was genuinely sent by National Working Committee to conduct congresses in Benue state.

Apparently referring to Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume’s camp, APC congress committee chairman, Musa, said any ward, local government congresses outside the one monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and conducted by him was not authentic.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Usman Musa, while commending Governor Hyacinth Alia for his wise counsel on how to conduct peaceful congresses said the exercise was rancour free.

According to Musa, “We are the only group sent to conduct congresses for all local government areas in Benue State. We are the ward/LG state committee set up by the National Working Committee, NWC, to come and conduct the congresses”

He added, “As far as we are concerned, we are within the mandate. The results are perfectly returned and we have collected the same, so I gladly tell you, this committee is the only genuine committee for Benue State.”

Musa, however commended security agencies, INEC officials, party officials statewide, among others for the smooth and successful conduct of the congress in the state.

On his part, Benue State APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale loyal to Governor Alia hailed the committee for conducting free and  fair congress.