The long-simmering political rivalry between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, resurfaced at the weekend in Gboko, the traditional headquarters of the Tiv people worldwide.

The rivalry nearly overshadowed the 2025 Tiv Cultural Day celebration as tension, clashes and public exchanges escalated, leaving one person injured after being stabbed.

The event, tagged “The Rebirth of the Tiv Nation”, featured cultural displays, reflections on Tiv history, the conferment of honorific chieftaincy titles and renewed calls for peace and development in Tiv land. However, what was intended as a celebration of Tiv identity was once again dominated by the Akume–Alia political feud.

Akume is widely regarded as the political benefactor behind Alia’s emergence as governor, having deployed his extensive All Progressives Congress (APC) structure to midwife the process from the primaries through to victory.

Trouble, however, began barely weeks into Alia’s administration in May 2023, when the governor made key appointments without deferring to Akume’s preferences, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and leadership of the House of Assembly.

By July 2023, the cold war between both camps had split the APC in Benue, with supporters drawing clear battle lines. The rift deepened with the removal of Akume’s loyalists from the APC secretariat in Makurdi, the suspension of 13 lawmakers aligned with the SGF at the House of Assembly, and the ban on political activities in the state, among other contentious moves.

Critics of the governor have accused Alia of confronting multiple institutions and actors, including Akume, the judiciary, party structures, cabinet members and the legislature.

The tensions peaked in August when the Benue Assembly witnessed a controversial change of leadership, widely alleged to have been influenced by the governor. Even the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time described Alia’s approach as “a theatre of perpetual fights,” warning that the persistent confrontations could derail governance.

Alia’s aides had denied accusations of autocracy, insisting that the governor was acting within the law.

Protocol, sitting arrangement trigger fresh clash

The rivalry, however, played out dramatically on Saturday at the J.S. Tarka Stadium, venue of the Tiv Day celebration, triggering renewed controversy and intense reactions on social media.

Supporters loyal to both leaders struggled for control of space, protocol and influence, turning what should have been a cultural fiesta into a charged political arena.

Witnesses said trouble began over seating and protocol arrangements. Terver Sesugh, an eyewitness, told Daily Trust that Governor Alia, former governor Gabriel Suswam, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and other dignitaries arrived earlier and paid homage at the Tor Tiv’s palace, while their supporters had already occupied most of the seats at the stadium.

According to him, supporters of the SGF, who later arrived to receive Akume, were left stranded for several minutes, fuelling anger within his camp.

Another witness, Caleb Abass, said Akume arrived at the venue around 2:16pm to loud chants from his supporters, who surged towards the high table and displaced some individuals already seated.

Abass added that confusion followed when only one seat was reportedly reserved for the SGF, while several seats were secured for Governor Alia and his delegation.

Akume was said to have openly expressed displeasure at the arrangement, leading to a delay in proceedings.

Tersoo Pever, a cultural enthusiast at the event, said tension escalated further with the arrival of Governor Alia around 2:52pm, accompanied by a large crowd of supporters chanting in his favour.

“They were chanting, ‘No Alia, no Benue.’ Akume’s supporters tried to resist them and a clash broke out. One person was badly wounded while several others sustained injuries,” Pever said.

He added that the confrontation occurred near the high table and that tear gas was allegedly discharged by an unidentified person, forcing the governor and the APC national chairman back into their vehicle temporarily.

Other witnesses confirmed that supporters of both leaders clashed openly, resulting in one person being stabbed and left bleeding near the high table.

Gabriel George, who was also present, said the situation deteriorated when Governor Alia attempted to enter the stadium and some hoodlums resisted his entry.

“The resistance by Alia’s supporters led to the stabbing of a victim, who was initially thought to be a security operative,” he said.

Security personnel later intervened to restore calm, but the violence delayed the ceremony and reportedly kept the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ortese Ayatse, waiting in his vehicle for more than 30 minutes.

A community journalist, Jiji Jack, said most honourees and dignitaries were already seated while supporters of the SGF waited at several locations, including Bristow Roundabout, St John’s Junction, Gyado Junction and the Police Field, to receive Akume.

Jack said Akume’s aides, including Mrs Becky Orpin and Barr. Cosmas Akighir, arrived at the venue around 1:13pm but were left without seats for about 40 minutes until the Master of Ceremony appealed for alternative arrangements and apologised for the delay.

He further alleged that Akume was dissatisfied with the seating arrangement reserved for him and remained standing for several minutes, further heightening tension among his supporters.

According to Jack, the arrival of Governor Alia with a large crowd of supporters chanting slogans in his favour eventually led to fresh confrontation near the high table, while tear gas allegedly forced the governor and APC chairman to retreat briefly into their vehicle.

When relative calm returned, Akume, speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, addressed the gathering and appeared to take a swipe at Governor Alia, warning against leaders seeking re-election while fighting perceived opponents.

“How can someone who wants a second term be fighting people? We know ourselves. We love our President. God bless Tinubu,” Akume said.

He cautioned Benue youths against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs and reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to peace, good governance and national unity, before leaving the venue.

APC National Chairman Prof. Yilwatda, a recipient of one of the titles, apologised for the violence and pledged to intervene to reconcile aggrieved factions within the party, stressing the need for unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Tor Tiv, Prof. Ayatse, called on Tiv sons and daughters to embrace unity, heal political and social divisions and work collectively for the future of the Tiv nation.

It’s a minor political disagreement – Police

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, described the incident as a minor political disagreement.

“No one died. The injured person is alive and receiving treatment. It was a minor political disagreement and no arrest was made,” she said.

Efforts to obtain reactions from both camps were unsuccessful. Alia’s spokesman, Kula Tersoo, and the Commissioner for Information, Dr Peter Abogo, had yet to respond to enquiries as of the time of filing this report. Similarly, the SGF’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, could not be reached.

Meanwhile, political observers urged President Tinubu to intervene in the crisis between the estranged political allies to prevent a more dangerous confrontation in the future. (Daily Trust)