Akume vs Alia: Trouble In Benue APC As Party Gets Dual Ward Structures

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has deepened following the conclusion of parallel ward congresses organised by factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

The exercises, conducted across the state’s 23 local government areas, produced separate sets of ward executives, cementing a divide that threatens the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

The SGF-aligned camp, led by Comrade Austin Agada, announced that existing ward executives were reaffirmed for another four-year term.

State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, described the congresses as peaceful and conducted in line with directives from the APC national secretariat.

Meanwhile, the governor-aligned faction, led by Benjamin Omale, declared that new ward executives had emerged through a consensus-based election process.

State Organising Secretary of the Alia-led faction, James Ornguga rejected claims of automatic reaffirmation, noting that party rules do not allow incumbents to continue without fresh elections.

He explained that the ward executives’ tenure ended in July 2025, local government executives’ tenure ended in September 2025, while state executives’ tenure ended on February 8, 2026.

Ornguga described the process as legitimate and transparent, reflecting the will of party members across the state.

Both factions insist their processes complied with APC guidelines, leaving the state chapter operating under dual structures at the grassroots level.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.

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