Members of the All progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, have stepped up opposition against the reelection of the state governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

They have vowed to stop at nothing to wrest power from him for what they called saving the state and the people at large.

In a viral video obtained in Makurdi, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, who is a supporter of the SGF, lampooned Alia and his government for his style of governance. He was captured at a gathering of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expanded caucus meeting at the residence of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.

In the video, Aondoakaa lamented that Alia has not lived up to expectations. This, he said, has informed the decision to enter into strategic partnership with the main opposition party, PDP, to unseat Governor Alia in 2027.

Aondoakaa urged their members to go home and extend the strategic partnership to their communities saying: “They said they have money but the money belongs to all of us. God will not allow them to use the money to defeat us.”

He explained that although Akume was not physically present at the meeting because of his busy schedule in Abuja, but he said to be behind the strategic partnership being formed with the state PDP, and would ensure Governor Alia is defeated at the polls.

“The partnership is not for self-enrichment. Senator George Akume is busy at Abuja, but he is busy ensuring that the foundation of the strategic partnership produces results, and that the results save the people of Benue State,” he said.

Other prominent APC chieftains and loyalists of the SGF that also attended the PDP caucus meeting include the Executive Director of Federal Housing Authority, Mathias Buyan; Managing Director of Nigeria Shippers Council, Pius Akutah and Sebastian Hon also took turns to speak. While they said they were going to support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid, they all reechoed that the alliance was to prevent Governor Alia’s reelection and save Benue State, pledging their loyalty to the SGF, Akume and Ortom as their leaders.

The Akume group had held parallel congresses and returned Austin Agada its chairman as against Benjamin Omale, who emerged at the State Congress of the party, and was sworn in by the State Congress committee sent by the National secretariat of the APC.

Feelers are that the Akume group is not happy that the structure of the party which seems to have slipped off the hands of their leader, Senator Akume, into the firm hands of Governor Alia, fearing that they will not be given the leverage to decide who flies the tickets of the party in the 2027 general election.

This, according to insiders, is the reason they have decided to seek alternative arrangements, including going into a political alliance with the PDP. According to insiders, hostilities between the Akume-led faction against the governor dates back, as the group has always undermined the office of the governor, preferring the SGF as leader of the party in the state.

There have been several press conferences organised by some members of the National Assembly and Federal Government appointees on the platform of the APC in the state, wherein they made uncharitable comments against the governor and his administration.

Recently, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Akume to make peace with the governor for the overall good of the party in the state. But with the attendance of the PDP caucus meeting, and the announcement of the strategic partnership, political pundits have expressed surprise at the preference to work with the PDP against the instructions of the vice president.

Governor Alia’s spokesperson, Sir Tersoo Kula, said the governor was not bothered by any kind of partnership.

“It is the wish of the governor that APC works as a family all the time. He has been preaching peace and synergy among stakeholders.

“As the leader of the party, he has consistently invited all stakeholders of the party for meetings, functions and congresses.

“He has not stopped anyone who wants to contest elections with him from contesting. He is sure of how he is turning around the fortunes of Benue State for the better and believes the masses are with him.

“It is rather unfortunate that some disgruntled elements within the party are desperate to take the state back to Egypt when with Governor Alia, the land of Canaan is in sight,” Kula submitted.

Spokesperson of the Akume camp, Daniel Ihomun, in a statement confirmed the attendance of the SGF key associates at the meeting explaining that their attendance was to mobilise support for President Tinubu ahead of 2027.

“The APC has taken note of public discussions surrounding the presence of some distinguished sons of Benue State at a political meeting organised by the Strategic Partnership Group at the residence of former Benue State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, who is also a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in support of the second-term aspirations of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“For the avoidance of doubt, members of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State remain open to invitations from any political group, association or stakeholders who share a common commitment to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the realisation of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We welcome the growing coalition of patriotic Nigerians and political groups who are keying into the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our great party appreciates the ongoing developmental strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“In recognition of these achievements, the APC in Benue State will continue to mobilize the people of the state irrespective of political affiliations to support and vote for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.”

statement was, however, silent on their support for Governor Hyacinth Alia for 2026. (The Sun)