The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is grappling with one of its most profound internal crises following the conduct of parallel ward congresses by factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Hobnob News Nigeria reports that the exercises, held across the state’s 23 local government areas, produced separate sets of ward executives, effectively entrenching a divide that could threaten the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The SGF-aligned camp, led by Comrade Austin Agada, announced the reaffirmation of existing ward executives for another four-year term. The State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, described the congresses as peaceful and conducted in accordance with directives from the party’s national secretariat.
However, the governor-aligned faction under Chief Benjamin Omale declared that new ward executives emerged through a consensus-based electoral process. State Organising Secretary of the Alia-led faction, James Ornguga, rejected claims of automatic reaffirmation, arguing that party rules do not permit incumbents to continue without fresh elections.
Ornguga explained that ward executives’ tenure ended in July 2025, local government executives’ tenure expired in September 2025, while state executives’ tenure concluded on February 8, 2026. He described the process conducted by the Alia camp as legitimate, transparent, and reflective of the will of party members statewide.
Both factions insist their exercises complied with APC guidelines, leaving the state chapter operating under dual grassroots structures.
Political analysts warn that the parallel congresses could create confusion among party faithful, complicate delegate selection processes, and undermine grassroots mobilization ahead of 2027. A Makurdi-based political commentator, Terna Ihom, noted that the parallel exercises have solidified the divide within the Benue APC, warning that reconciliation would require decisive intervention by the party’s national leadership.
The rift dates back to early disagreements over key appointments in Governor Alia’s administration. Reports indicate that SGF Akume recommended Engr. Nick Wende for the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but the governor instead appointed Professor Joseph Alkali.
Tensions reportedly escalated over leadership positions in the State House of Assembly, where nominees allegedly backed by Akume were sidelined in favour of candidates supported by the governor. The feud deepened following the removal of Austin Agada from the party secretariat, the suspension of 13 lawmakers aligned with Akume, and restrictions on certain political activities within the state.
Although two court rulings reportedly favored the SGF faction, access to the party secretariat was not restored, prompting the faction to conduct its congresses separately.
Governor Alia’s camp recently gained momentum following the defection of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, to the APC. Political observers believe Suswam has emerged as a significant political patron to Alia amid his rift with Akume.
While the Alia-led faction claimed oversight by national committees from Abuja, the Akume-aligned camp insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored its proceedings. An INEC official, speaking anonymously, clarified that the commission only monitors congresses conducted by committees recognized by the party’s national secretariat and does not wade into internal factional disputes.
Reacting to media reports of parallel congresses, the APC’s 2023 senatorial candidate for Benue South, Dan Onjeh, dismissed claims of factionalism. He maintained that there was no parallel congress in the state and that Chief Benjamin Omale remains the recognized state chairman under the authority of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Onjeh stressed that the NWC has constitutional powers to dissolve party structures where necessary and that any claims of parallel leadership must be substantiated with credible evidence. He insisted that the recently concluded congress was peaceful and conducted strictly in line with national guidelines.
Conversely, Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun admitted that the Alia-led faction conducted a parallel congress but described it as null and void for failing to follow due process. He maintained that the reaffirmation of ward executives through a vote of confidence was the only valid exercise.
At the ward level, however, some party members reported peaceful transitions. Alfred Apochi, a former lawmaker from Ogbadibo, said the election in Ehaje Ward II was orderly, resulting in the emergence of Onoja Agada as ward chairman. He dismissed claims of factional division in his ward.
With both factions entrenched and Suswam’s involvement bolstering the governor’s camp, the Benue APC now faces a critical test of internal cohesion. The party’s national leadership is expected to intervene, either to harmonize the outcomes of the congresses or to formally recognize one structure.
For now, the Benue chapter of the APC remains a house divided, operating under dual ward structures, competing claims of legitimacy, and no immediate resolution in sight as the 2027 elections draw closer.
