Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja
After months of political tension that threatened to fracture the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, have begun reconciliation efforts in adherence to President Tinubu’s advice.
The historic peace meeting, held in Makurdi, has not only doused tensions within the party but also rekindled hope for a more united and progressive Benue.
The rift between Governor Alia and Senator Akume, two of Benueโs most influential political figures, began shortly after Alia assumed office in 2023. Both leaders, who had worked together during the election campaigns, soon found themselves at loggerheads over control of the party structure, appointments, and governance strategies.
Akume, a former governor and long-time political leader in Benue, was seen as the godfather of the APC in the state. However, Governor Alia, a Catholic priest-turned-politician, sought to assert his independence, leading to clashes over key decisions.
Supporters of Akume accused the governor of sidelining party stalwarts in his appointments, while Aliaโs camp alleged that Akume was undermining his administration by promoting parallel party structures.
The feud escalated with public confrontations, press statements, and even legal battles over party positions. At one point, the APC in Benue appeared divided into two factionsโone loyal to Akume and the other to Aliaโraising fears of a weakened party ahead of future elections.
Several attempts had been made to reconcile the two leaders, but none succeeded until now. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and top APC officials, including national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, had intervened at different times, urging peace for the sake of the party and the state.
One major sticking point was the control of the party machinery in Benue. Akumeโs loyalists had dominated the state APC executive, while Aliaโs supporters pushed for a more inclusive structure. The impasse led to delays in key party decisions and even affected governance, as projects were sometimes stalled due to political infighting.
However, in a move that caught their supporters off guard, the two leaders held a meeting yesterday. A source close to the matter informed Spear News that “the meeting was imperative.”
The source added that “the recent massacre in Benue State is a grave concern that should alarm all stakeholders.” Recognizing the urgency of the situation, “the leaders agreed to set aside their differences and unite in confronting the escalating violence plaguing the state”.
After the meeting, Governor Alia and Senator Akume were seen in a photo op where both leaders embraced themselves with smile.
Governor Alia after the meeting, posted on his social media handle:
“Today, I paid a surprise visit to Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), at his Maitama residence in Abuja.
“It was a warm and insightful interaction marked by mutual respect, unity, and deep reflection on both state and national issues, as well as a shared commitment to the progress of our dear state and nation”, the governor wrote.
Spear News gathered from source familiar with the crisis that Governor Aliaโs surprise visit to Senator George Akumeโs house in Maitama was not a move toward reconciliation but rather a response to President Bola Tinubuโs direct order for them to meet and find solutions to the ongoing killings in Benue.
While the discussion focused on security, the political crisis within the Benue APC remains unresolved, with no agreements made.
Akumeโs conditions for peace include reinstating his allies in the party, controlling key government appointments, and influencing the State House of Assemblyโs leadership, demands Governor Alia is unwilling to fully accept, as they would strip him of executive authority.
Spear News gathered that Alia might consider minor concessions, like adjusting some cabinet positions, he has refused to surrender control over critical agencies or the party structure. Local government officials, protected by a court ruling, may survive the tensions, though their secretaries could be replaced.
Ultimately, the standoff between Alia and Akume shows no signs of ending, as their political differences run too deep for compromise, leaving the APC in Benue divided with no resolution in sight.
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