As the 2027 general elections approach, there are signs that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be doing anything and everything to retain power in the state.

This is as Benue State is witnessing a flurry of political activities, marked by game-changing strategies deployed recently by the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.

The state is also witnessing a gale of defections, declaration of support and intense alignments and realignments. The state’s political landscape is shifting rapidly with politicians from other parties jostling and joining the APC. Governor Alia, analysts say, appears to be taking advantage of the situation, while aggressively expanding the party’s influence, wooing opposition lawmakers and party men to defect to its fold.

This is more so that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, is currently grappling with internal crises and leadership disputes, which are perceived to have weakened their structure, a development, many have also described as a plus for the ruling party.

Recently, many politicians are beginning to switch parties, with many declaring support for the APC.

In one of his strategic moves, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, in conjunction with the state APC organised a Pre-Decamping Dinner at Government House, Makurdi recently.

The event which held October 10, 2025, drew prominent Benue sons and daughters who announced plans to formally join the ruling party in the coming days.

Alia had named it “An evening of Fellowship and Dialogue” and a gathering aimed to strengthen bonds, share stories of progress across the state and our future plans or collective growth and development.

This was echoed in the speeches, declarations and body language of the politicians present at the event, with each declaring support and interest to join forces with the Governor and work towards his re-election in 2027.

Political heavyweights, including the House of Representatives member, representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Ojotu Ojema, former House of Representatives member for Ado/Okpkwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Francis Ota-Agbo, former NAFDAC DG Mr. Paul Orhii, some staunch PDP members, former Special Advisers during the PDP administration and a host of others, were present.

Others who graced the dinner from across political divides including PDP, Labour Party, SDP, ADC among others, and they used the occasion to formally affirm their stand and support for Governor Alia led APC in the state.

Some of them who spoke during the dinner said they have decided to pitch tent with the governor and to remain with him for the overall development of the state. They further intimated that they are in a strategic partnership with the governor towards strengthening his quest for re-election both for himself and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

For Ojoma Ojetu, a serving federal lawmaker, his decision to align with Governor Hyacinth Alia is born out of the desire to join forces to develop the state and bring his people closer to the government in power so as to be able to confront the insecurity being experienced in his constituency.

Ojotu said: “If you want to make headways at the national assembly in terms of sponsoring a bill or bills, you must belong to the ruling party and you have to be at home with your Governor and I have found it worthy to realign with my Governor.”

Also, former House of Representatives member, Francis Ota-Agbo said since the present administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia came on board, the issue of wastage of state resources have ended in Benue as he has channelled those resources to the welfare of citizens and development of Benue State.

“We are no longer owing salaries or pensioners, salaries are paid as at when due, there is ongoing massive infrastructural development across the three Senatorial zones of the state. These acts have endeared us to joining forces with the governor to ensure that he wins his second tenure in 2027.

“The people of Benue South Senatorial District, we would rally support and we would vote for Alia, Tinubu and all other candidates of the APC,” he declared.

Among those who declared support on the occasion were: former NAFDAC Director -General, Dr. Paul Orhii, member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo, Hon. Solomon Wombo, former Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ngunan Addingi, Prof. Steven Ugba and Prof. Eugene Aliegba, State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Benjamin Omale, who all praised Governor Alia for his developmental strides and renewed hope in governance and for facilitating appointments for Benue indigenes at the federal level, describing him as the agent of real change.

The event, Daily Sun gathered, was one major strategic political gathering to showcase the governor’s scorecard and further strengthen the chances of Governor Alia and the APC to coast to victory in 2027.

To further fortify his victory moves, Governor Hyacinth Alia, in another strategic move recently appointed his point men in all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The point men are reliable fellows of the Governor, appointed to galvanise and mobilise support for the governor ahead of the elections. They include former House of Representatives member, Francis Agbo, alongside 22 others, as coordinators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The move, according to Governor Alia was to promote grassroots democracy and ensure wider citizen participation in governance. The coordinators are to oversee APC affairs at the local level and work towards reinforcing the party’s presence and influence in their respective areas and act as worthy representatives of both the party and the Alia administration by intensifying efforts to attract new members and strengthen party unity across the state.

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Governor Alia took his strategic meetings a bit further to Abuja. After he attended the NEC meeting at the Villa, he visited and held a fruitful meeting with the Rural Electrification Agency MD/CEO Abba Aliyu on Benue’s quest for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification needs.

He also visited and held a tête-à-tête with the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and rounded up the day with the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, where he shared reports on Benue APC activities with the national chairman.

It’s obvious that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s engagements over the last one month underscore his unwavering commitment to fostering partnerships and collaborations that will accelerate Benue State’s development.

His consistent strategic meetings at the national level reflect a focused pursuit of sustainable solutions, stronger political synergy, and enhanced governance alignment with federal and party leadership, all geared towards delivering tangible progress and prosperity for the people of Benue State and ensure that come 2027, the people of Benue State will see him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fit for re-election.

Now that the governor has commence successful strategic meetings ahead of 2027, political watchers have called for the sustainability of the exercise to endear the people to him. Pundits are also of the opinion that Governor Alia should heed the call on him by the President to make peace in the party as the state APC is currently perceived to be factionalised along two divides; the Alia supporters and those in the side of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Senator George Akume.

Furthermore, the expectation of the Benue public that after the visit of Mr. President, the two political gladiators and state leaders would be seen on the same table sharing talks, jokes, wine and laughter. The Benue populace is yet to see this.

Therefore, as the country inches towards the elections, Pundits are of the view that the expected peace would reign to pave the way for a more development and victory for the ruling party in the state and at the national level. Whether this will happen or not, only time will tell.

But what is certain is that, so far so good, one will be right to say that the Reverend gentleman appears to be doing well, with regards to providing good governance. However, he appears not to be getting the politics aspect right. (The Sun)

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