Fresh cracks have surfaced within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as rival factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, conducted parallel ward and local government congresses across the state’s 276 wards.
The development underscores a deepening leadership tussle that has dogged the party since the inception of the current administration.
What initially appeared as routine post-election disagreements has gradually snowballed into a full-blown struggle for control of party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of the dispute is the frosty relationship between Governor Alia and his estranged political benefactor, Akume.
Their strained ties have polarized party stakeholders from the state executive down to the grassroots, resulting in two distinct blocs laying claim to legitimacy.
One faction, loyal to the SGF and led by Comrade Austin Agada, insists it remains the authentic leadership of the party in the state.
The other group, aligned with the governor and coordinated through the party’s national secretariat with Chief Benjamin Omale playing a key role, maintains it is acting in accordance with directives from Abuja.
Both camps issued separate notices announcing the commencement of ward and local government congresses.
The Omale-led faction said committees deployed by the APC national secretariat had arrived in Makurdi to supervise the exercise, inviting aspirants to submit nomination and expression of interest forms at the party secretariat.
Conversely, the Agada faction declared its own congress timetable, describing the process as non-elective and in line with resolutions of the party’s National Executive Committee.
It maintained that its exercise was being monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the designated ward congress committee.
Security presence was visibly heightened at the party secretariat in Makurdi as sensitive materials were distributed to representatives ahead of the exercises.
Each side projected confidence in the legitimacy of its actions, further entrenching the parallel structures.
INEC, however, appeared to distance itself from the factional claims.
An official of the commission noted that it was working with the committee recognized by the party’s national secretariat and was unaware of any officially sanctioned parallel arrangement.
Political observers warn that ward congresses are foundational to party stability because they shape grassroots leadership and determine the composition of delegates for higher-level primaries.
The emergence of parallel structures at this level signals an intense struggle for control of the party machinery in Benue.
The rift between Alia and Akume reportedly dates back to early decisions of the administration, including key appointments and leadership selections in the State Assembly.
Subsequent events — including disputes over party secretariat control, suspension of lawmakers, and allegations of executive interference in legislative matters — have only widened the gulf.
Despite court rulings reportedly favouring the SGF’s faction in the dispute over the party secretariat, tensions remain unresolved.
Interventions by traditional and national leaders have so far failed to produce lasting peace.
With both camps pressing ahead with separate congresses, concerns are mounting among party faithful that the crisis could spiral into prolonged legal battles and weaken the APC’s cohesion in Benue State.
For now, the ruling party appears locked in a contest for supremacy, as stakeholders await decisive intervention from the national leadership to prevent further fragmentation.
