Benue APC Splits into Two Factions as Gov Alia, Akume Clash over Ward Congresses

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has been into open division after rival ward congresses were conducted by camps loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The parallel exercises were held across the 23 local government areas of the state. Each faction announced different sets of ward executives.

This development has deepened internal cracks within the party and raised fears about its readiness for the 2027 general elections.

The faction aligned with the SGF, led by Comrade Austin Agada, said it reaffirmed existing ward executives for another four-year tenure. State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, described their process as peaceful and in line with directives from the national secretariat of the APC.

On the other side, the governor’s camp under Benjamin Omale announced the emergence of new ward executives through what it called a consensus-based election process.

The State Organising Secretary of the Alia-led faction, James Ornguga, dismissed claims of automatic reaffirmation.

He said party rules do not permit executives to continue without fresh elections. According to him, the ward executives’ tenure ended in July 2025, local government executives’ tenure ended in September 2025, while state executives’ tenure expired on February 8, 2026.

Ornguga maintained that the process conducted by the Alia faction was legitimate and reflected the will of party members across the state.

With both groups claiming compliance with party guidelines, the Benue APC is now operating with dual structures at the grassroots level. Political observers warn that this could confuse members, affect delegate selection, and weaken mobilisation ahead of future elections.

A Makurdi-based political analyst, Terna Ihom, said the division could shape the party’s future direction.
He stated: “The completion of these parallel ward congresses solidifies the divide in Benue APC.

“Each faction now controls its own machinery, and this could influence candidate selection and electoral outcomes for the 2027 elections. Reconciliation will require intervention at the national level.”

The crisis reportedly began with disagreements over key appointments at the start of Governor Alia’s administration. Akume was said to have recommended Engr. Nick Wende for Secretary to the State Government, but the governor appointed Professor Joseph Alkali instead.

Tensions later spread to the State House of Assembly, where rival loyalists accused each other of sidelining preferred candidates. The situation worsened after the removal of Austin Agada from the party secretariat and the suspension of 13 lawmakers linked to the SGF camp.

Although two court rulings reportedly favoured the Akume faction, access to the party secretariat was not restored. This forced both sides to conduct their congresses separately.

Governor Alia’s camp recently gained more political strength following the defection of former governor Gabriel Suswam to the APC. Suswam is believed to have aligned with Alia after falling out with Akume, further shifting the balance of power within the party.

While the Alia faction claimed its congress was supervised by national committees from Abuja, the Akume camp insisted the exercise was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

An INEC official, who spoke anonymously, clarified that the commission only monitors congresses recognized by the party’s national leadership and does not intervene in factional disputes.

Reacting to reports of parallel congresses, APC’s 2023 senatorial candidate in Benue South, Dan Onjeh, dismissed claims of division. He insisted there was only one valid structure in the state.

He said, “There was no parallel congress anywhere in Benue. At present, the chairman of the APC in Benue State, who is Chief Benjamin Omale, oversees the party’s activities in the state, operating under the constitutional authority of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“NWC has the power to intervene and dissolve party structures when necessary, ensuring that internal disputes do not undermine the party’s functioning.

“It is clear that party issues in the state have sometimes been exaggerated by media reports. When the NWC provides guidance or directives, ambiguity collapses, and any claims of parallel leadership or factional disputes should be substantiated with evidence.

“Over the years, it must be understood that the government and governors serve as party leaders at the state level, a practice followed nationwide, with national secretaries keeping them informed before and after party congresses.”

He further added:
“Regarding media reports suggesting factionalism led by Senator George Akume (SGF), it is important to note that the APC in Benue State remains united.

“Allegations of parallel congresses or conflicting party leadership are unsubstantiated. Former leaders and party officials stress that all congresses, including the most recent, were conducted peacefully, following the official provisions and rules of the APC.

“There is only one recognized structure of the party, and any claim to the contrary must be backed with credible proof.

“The party does not tolerate self-organized elections outside official channels. Any such attempt undermines constitutional procedures and is therefore invalid.

“All recognized elections are supervised and documented according to party regulations, and results are formally communicated to the national level.

“In summary, the just-concluded APC congress in Benue State was conducted peacefully, in line with national guidelines, and there were no parallel elections or factional disputes.

“The party structure in the state operates under recognized national authority, ensuring that its processes remain constitutional, transparent, and united.”

However, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun, admitted that another congress was held by the Alia faction but described it as invalid.

He said: “Yes, there was a parallel congress, but it does not hold water. What we did was the reaffirmation of ward executives for another four-year tenure, through a vote of confidence by party faithful.

“Anyone claiming to be part of the party executive committee outside the people we reaffirmed is an impostor.”

A former lawmaker from Ogbadibo, Alfred Apochi, said the election in his ward was peaceful and produced new leadership.

He stated: “In fact, we had the most peaceful election in my ward. The outgoing chairman, Tony Okpe, stood in line to vote for the new chairman.

“So, there was no faction in my place.”

With both camps standing firm and new political alliances emerging, the Benue APC now faces a serious test of unity.

Nevertheless, party leaders at the national level are expected to step in to harmonise the outcomes or formally recognise one structure.