A fresh crisis appears to be unfolding within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, as the fragile truce between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume shows signs of collapse.
Although a high-level reconciliation meeting was held on Sunday, underlying tensions remain—particularly over the contentious issue of automatic tickets for elected officials ahead of the next election cycle.
The rift between Alia and Akume dates back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, when both leaders clashed over control of the party structure and political appointments in the state. What started as a low-key disagreement quickly escalated into a full-blown intra-party crisis, splitting the APC in Benue into two rival factions.
One camp, led by Austin Agada, aligned with Akume, while the other, under then-state chairman Ben Omakolo, backed Governor Alia.
Tensions peaked in March 2026 when both factions conducted parallel congresses, each producing its own set of party executives. The Alia-backed group maintained that its congress followed due process and reflected the will of party members. In contrast, the Akume-aligned faction rejected the exercise and organised a separate congress, further deepening the leadership dispute.
In a decisive intervention, the APC’s national leadership recognised the congress conducted by Alia’s faction, which produced Ben Omale as chairman. This move effectively sidelined Agada and weakened Akume’s influence over the party structure in the state.
Concerned about the potential impact of the lingering crisis on the party’s electoral prospects, President Bola Tinubu stepped in, urging both leaders to reconcile ahead of future elections.
Sunday’s meeting was seen as progress toward that goal. However, instead of strengthening unity, it exposed new divisions.
At the centre of the renewed disagreement is a proposal by Akume advocating automatic tickets for Governor Alia and other elected APC officials in the state, including members of the National and State Assemblies.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Akume argued that such tickets would ensure continuity and reward loyalty. However, the governor firmly rejected the idea, insisting that all aspirants must undergo a transparent primary process. He warned that imposing candidates could trigger another internal crisis.
An insider revealed that while Alia agreed on other aspects of the reconciliation, he outrightly opposed automatic tickets, stressing that he would not risk destabilising the party structure or allow lawmakers loyal to Akume to return unchallenged.
Speaking after the meeting, Governor Alia made his stance clear, dismissing the proposal and reiterating that both the president and the party leadership have ruled out automatic tickets. He described the suggestion as merely an appeal rather than an official position, adding that such an approach was misguided.
With competing interests, unresolved grievances, and the struggle for control still simmering beneath the surface, the APC in Benue State may be heading toward another round of internal conflict as preparations for the 2027 elections begin to intensify.
