The political landscape in Benue State is heating up as Governor Hyacinth Alia has pointedly declared that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, lacks the authority to determine his political future or the destiny of the state’s residents.
In a bold rebuttal to claims that the SGF would dictate the state’s direction in the 2027 polls, Governor Alia maintained that the power to elect leaders belongs solely to the electorate, not “political emperors.”
The friction follows recent remarks by Senator Titus Zam, who suggested that the people of Benue would look to George Akume for direction when the 2027 governorship election arrives.
Responding via a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia dismissed these claims as a vestige of an old political order that the people have moved past.
Governor Alia emphasized that his bid for a second term would be weighed on the scales of track record, credibility, and tangible performance rather than the endorsement of any single individual.
“What will determine direction for the 2027 general elections in Benue is purely performance and pedigree,” the Governor stated through his spokesman.
The Governor’s office further sharpened its rhetoric, suggesting that those who prioritize loyalty to political masters over their “covenant with the people” would face a harsh verdict at the polls.
This exchange marks a significant escalation in the rumored friction between the Governor and the SGF’s camp. By positioning himself as a leader focused on the “people’s mandate” versus “emperor worship,” Alia is clearly signaling a shift toward a more populist, performance-based political identity ahead of his re-election campaign.
As the 2027 race begins to loom in the distance, it is clear that in Benue, the battle lines are being drawn between traditional political godfatherism and the incumbent’s “performance-first” philosophy.
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