The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is grappling with a serious internal crisis after recent grassroots congresses resulted in parallel ward and local government party structures, a development that has widened the divide within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to reports, two rival factions loyal to powerful party figures, Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, each conducted separate ward congresses across the state’s 23 local government areas. These exercises have produced conflicting sets of ward executives, effectively leaving the party with dual leadership structures at the grassroots level.
Competing Processes, Competing Leaders
In the faction aligned with SGF Akume, party faithful reportedly reaffirmed the existing ward executives for another four-year term following a series of confidence votes. This camp, led locally by Comrade Austin Agada, says its process was peaceful and carried out in line with directives from the APC national secretariat.
The Alia-aligned faction, steered by State Organising Secretary James Ornguga, held fresh elections across the wards and declared new executives based on consensus and popular choice. They argued that party rules do not allow executives to remain without re-election once their tenures have expired.
Each side insists that its process was legitimate and in accordance with party guidelines, leaving the APC’s Benue chapter effectively operating with two parallel structures.
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Origins of the Dispute
Political analysts trace the crisis back to disagreements within the party over key appointments shortly after Alia assumed office. Reports suggest tension flared when Akume’s preferred choice for Secretary to the State Government, Engr. Nick Wende was overlooked in favour of another candidate by the governor. The dispute later widened during leadership struggles involving the State House of Assembly and the removal or suspension of lawmakers aligned with the SGF’s camp.
The crisis was exacerbated when Akume’s supporters were reportedly denied access to the party secretariat, even after favourable court rulings. This situation forced them to conduct their congresses separately.
Public Messaging and Claims
Some APC leaders, including the party’s 2023 senatorial candidate in Benue South, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, have pushed back against claims of parallel congresses, arguing that the party remains united and that media reports have exaggerated the situation. He stated that only one legitimate structure exists and that outcomes from any recognised congress are valid under the party’s constitution.
Implications for the Party
Political experts warn that having two competing ward structures could create confusion among members, complicate delegate selection, and weaken the party’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of elections. Some believe that reconciliation by the APC national leadership may be necessary to harmonise the structures or officially endorse one set of party executives.
As things stand, the Benue APC remains divided, with both camps firmly entrenched in their claims to legitimacy and no immediate resolution in sight.
