2027: ‘Benue Isn’t Rivers, I’m Not Fubara’ – Gov Alia Warns Wike
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against any attempt to influence the state’s political leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that Benue will not be subjected to the kind of political manoeuvres witnessed in Rivers State.
Alia, who made his position known through his Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James Asortar, said the people of Benue must be allowed to determine who governs them without interference from powerful political figures.
He maintained that the state’s governorship was not a position to be decided through private agreements or negotiations among political leaders.
The warning comes ahead of the 2027 elections and reports of activities surrounding Wike’s Rainbow Coalition in the state.
In Benue, the development has brought fresh attention to the relationship between Alia and influential political figures, including former Governor Samuel Ortom and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
In the statement, Alia’s aide challenged Wike, Ortom and Akume to explain the purpose of the coalition and clarify whether it was intended to influence the choice of the next governor of Benue State.
Asortar warned that any attempt to determine the state’s political future through arrangements made outside the democratic process would be unacceptable, stressing that political alliances should not be used to deny residents their right to choose their preferred leaders.
“Benue is not a political commodity, and its governorship is not for settlement in private political negotiations,” Asortar said.
The statement drew a clear distinction between the political situation in Benue and the crisis that has shaped relations between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained a top politician in the state since leaving office, while his disagreement with Fubara has results to prolonged tensions over party structures, political loyalty and control of the state’s political machinery.
Alia’s position suggests that he does not intend to allow external political interests to determine the direction of Benue ahead of the next governorship election.
The governor’s aide insisted that the circumstances in Benue were different and that political actors should not assume that arrangements that influence politics elsewhere could automatically be replicated in the state.
“If the reported coalition is merely a political alliance, its proponents should explain its objectives openly. If it involves any arrangement intended to influence Benue’s governorship, the people deserve transparency,” he said.
The statement also called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties to uphold internal democracy and respect the rights of their members.
It argued that the selection of candidates for the 2027 elections should follow established party procedures rather than decisions imposed by individuals with significant political influence.
Alia’s aide also defended the governor’s performance since assuming office, arguing that the administration should be judged by its record and plans for the state rather than the political calculations of influential individuals.
According to the statement, the government has rehabilitated more than 550 kilometres of roads and constructed over 420 kilometres of new roads.
It also pointed to efforts to address inherited salary arrears and improve the payment of workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.
