Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja
Ahead of 2027, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is staring into an abyss. Once a unified ruling party, it has been fractured by a protracted feud between two of its most powerful figures: the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and APC leader in the North-Central zone, Senator George Akume.
With parallel executive councils already in place and political realignments gathering momentum, analysts warn that the party is on a collision course that could see it produce two governorship candidates—or none at all—unless there is urgent intervention from the presidency.
The crisis within the Benue APC is no longer a subtle rift but a full-blown structural fracture. The divide has crystallized into two clear factions: one loyal to Governor Alia, who controls the state machinery, and another loyal to Senator Akume, who commands significant federal influence and historical party structure.
The conflict recently escalated with the emergence of parallel executive councils, from the ward level up to the state working committee. One faction, led by the Agada-led executive, claims legitimacy based on a state High Court judgment that nullified a caretaker committee appointed by the party’s national secretariat.
The other faction, loyal to Governor Alia, operates under a caretaker committee that has since transitioned into an elected executive, basing its legitimacy on party guidelines.
Political analyst Timothy Akeh explained the gravity of the situation: “You are aware that the Agada-led executive council is laying claim to legitimacy, especially as the state High Court nullified the caretaker committee. On the other hand, the caretaker committee—now operating as an elected executive loyal to the governor—bases its legitimacy on party guidelines. At the end of the day, these parallel executives may conduct separate primaries and produce two governorship candidates.”
The Primaries: A Litigation Time Bomb
With parallel structures firmly in place, the prospect of the APC conducting a single, unified primary for the governorship ticket appears increasingly remote. Observers believe that unless the national leadership, led by President Bola Tinubu, steps in to impose a resolution, the party is headed for a chaotic primary season.
The implications are severe. If both factions conduct separate primaries and produce different candidates, the aftermath will almost certainly be decided in court. Akeh noted that even if one faction successfully produces a candidate, the other is likely to challenge the outcome in court, triggering a protracted legal battle.
“This could trigger another phase of crisis, which may spell doom for the APC in the state,” Akeh warned. “In such a situation, both factions could become entangled in prolonged legal battles, with the implication that the party may end up without candidates—not only for the governorship, but also for the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly elections.”
Governor Alia’s Contingency Plans: Exploring Alliances
Aware of the legal quagmire that may engulf the APC primaries, Governor Alia’s camp is already making strategic moves to secure his political future. Sources indicate that the governor is exploring possible alliances with opposition parties, including the Accord Party or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), should the APC primaries become entangled in legal disputes that jeopardize his candidacy.
Observers point to a recent visit by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, during the formation of the ADC as a possible indicator of Governor Alia’s inclination toward that party. Additionally, the governor’s recent engagements with opposition figures, including former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and other stakeholders, have raised eyebrows within political circles.
However, Governor Alia has consistently dismissed speculation about defection. Through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Terso, he has maintained that his interactions with opposition leaders are part of efforts to woo them into the APC, not a sign of him leaving the ruling party.
The Ortom Factor: A New Alliance Emerges
On the other side of the divide, a significant political development has added a new layer of complexity to the crisis. Several governorship aspirants aligned with the Akume faction recently attended a caucus meeting convened by the immediate past governor of the state, Samuel Ortom. Ortom, a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees and an ally of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is widely seen as a political heavyweight with a firm grip on certain structures in the state.
Among the attendees were prominent APC governorship aspirants, including the Executive Director of Housing, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Dr. Mathias Byuan; former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Andoakaa (SAN); and legal scholar, Professor Sebastine Hon (SAN). The meeting, held at Ortom’s residence, has sparked widespread political debate, with analysts describing it as a strategic move to either challenge Governor Alia directly or to hedge against the legal uncertainties that may arise from the APC primaries.
Dr. Byuan, however, clarified that his attendance was purely in support of a pro-Tinubu group mobilizing for the President’s re-election. “As a beneficiary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, and considering the confidence reposed in me by Mr. President, I see it as a duty and obligation to identify with and support any political party, group, or association that is genuinely mobilising support for his re-election,” he said.
Analysts Weigh In: A Strategic Opposition in the Making
Political analysts in Benue view the Ortum-led meeting as a significant development that could reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
Amos Ogli, a political analyst, argued that the primary objective of such an alliance is power. “If, at the end of the day, the door is shut against the SGF faction, the most viable option would be to build a unified opposition to challenge the incumbent governor and wrest power,” he said. “If they succeed in taking power, they may decide to return to the APC, especially if the party retains control at the federal level.”
Ogli added that Ortom, despite being a PDP chieftain, has not hidden his support for the SGF and maintains a strong interest in unseating Governor Alia in 2027.
The PDP’s Calculated Gamble
As the APC implodes, the opposition PDP is watching closely and positioning itself to capitalize. Bemgba Iortyom, a media consultant to the PDP in Benue State, maintained that the APC’s crisis presents a strategic advantage for his party.
“It is true that the state APC has parallel congresses from the ward to the state level, but it remains unclear which faction will be officially recognised,” Iortyom said. “There is a strong likelihood of court cases arising when any faction loses out. If that occurs, it will be a constitutional exercise of rights, but it will not augur well for the APC. The party will be weakened, and this will advantage the PDP, boosting our chances of a comeback in 2027.”
Iortyom further noted that the PDP is already preparing to build alliances with other political parties, describing the expanded caucus meeting at Ortom’s residence as part of those strategic moves. “PDP remains the only credible alternative for the people of the state,” he said. “We welcome such engagements, and it was made clear during the caucus meeting that PDP is open to alliances—not only with APC but with other political parties as well.”
A Ray of Hope? The Search for Intervention
Despite the grim outlook, some party members remain hopeful that the crisis can be averted. Daniel Ihomun, publicity secretary of the Agada-led APC executives, dismissed the notion that the party would produce two governorship candidates. “APC in Benue State will have one governorship candidate,” he insisted, while confirming that five governorship aspirants attended the Ortom caucus meeting.
However, analysts agree that the party’s salvation lies in the hands of its national leadership. With both factions looking to the presidency for direction, only timely intervention from President Bola Tinubu can smooth the party’s path and prevent a catastrophic implosion.
As the political drama unfolds, one thing is clear: for the APC in Benue State, the journey to the 2027 elections remains treacherous, uncertain, and poised on a cliffhanger. Whether the party will leap toward unity or plunge into electoral oblivion will be decided in the coming weeks.
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