The political waters in Benue State are beginning to stir once again, as the North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has sharply criticized the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, over actions allegedly aimed at undermining Governor Hyacinth Alia. The forum issued a firm warning, urging Akume to tread carefully and not jeopardize Alia’s position within the APC. The call came after reports indicated that some faceless groups had launched media attacks against Alia, with insinuations of discontent within the APC ranks.
Addressing the growing tension, the North-Central APC Forum, which represents political figures and stakeholders from the region, released a statement on Sunday, emphasizing that the party cannot afford to lose Benue State—a key political territory—especially with the upcoming 2027 elections on the horizon.
Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, led the charge in his remarks. He issued a pointed warning to Akume, urging him to halt any moves that could cause Governor Alia to leave the party. Zazzaga stressed that Akume’s alleged interference and attacks were not only misplaced but could irreparably harm APC’s chances in Benue.
“If the APC loses Governor Alia, it will be at George Akume’s own peril,” Zazzaga declared. “He cannot continue undermining Alia, who has been doing a good job in Benue, for personal political gain. Should Alia leave the APC, it will mirror the sad episode of Samuel Ortom, who was elected as governor under our party’s platform before defecting to the PDP. Benue cannot afford another costly mistake.”
Zazzaga’s concerns aren’t just grounded in recent reports but in the historical pattern of political defections. Former Governor Samuel Ortom’s dramatic departure from the APC to the PDP left a deep scar in the party’s political strategy in the state. The North-Central APC Forum has repeatedly warned that another major political blow—this time, at the hands of Alia leaving the party—could risk losing the state for good, particularly when the party’s prospects for re-election in 2027 hang in the balance.
“The attack on Governor Alia is misguided and dangerous,” Zazzaga asserted. “We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The party is only as strong as the unity of its leaders, and Alia has earned his right to be at the helm. We expect him to stay with us and help us continue the work we started.”
The statement from the North-Central APC Forum has stirred significant debate within the APC circles, with some supporting the call to protect Alia, while others find the allegations against Akume politically charged. In an attempt to quash the accusations, Akume’s spokesperson, Terrence Kuanum, issued a counter-statement on Sunday.
Kuanum vehemently denied the allegations, calling the claims “baseless” and the motivations of the forum as malicious. He categorically rejected the idea that Akume was behind any media attacks against Alia, citing the SGF’s longstanding contributions to both the party and the Benue State government.
“There is no truth to these accusations against the SGF,” Kuanum stated. “We believe this group is merely playing politics and attempting to tarnish the image of a leader who has shown unwavering support for Benue State’s progress.”
In fact, Kuanum highlighted that only a few months ago, Zazzaga himself had publicly praised Akume’s leadership at the North-Central APC’s third-quarter meeting in Jos, praising the SGF’s contributions and describing his tenure as “purposeful.” Kuanum suggested that Zazzaga’s current stance contradicted his earlier comments and hinted that the forum’s new position was driven by personal motives rather than any genuine concern for the APC or Alia’s leadership.
For many political watchers, the entire situation highlights the underlying tensions within Benue’s political landscape, which seem to pit personal ambitions against collective party goals. While Akume’s office represents an important power center within the APC, Governor Alia, having only recently assumed office, is seen as a key figure to unite the state under the party’s banner for future elections. As Alia’s tenure progresses, observers expect further internal struggles as various factions within the party vie for influence.
The situation also underscores the delicate nature of Nigerian politics, where shifts in alliances or support can have profound electoral consequences. APC insiders fear that further escalation of these personal quarrels could spill over into the broader party structures, especially given the state’s crucial role in the 2027 presidential race. Both Akume and Alia have influential constituencies that the APC needs to preserve unity for its greater electoral success.
From another perspective, some political analysts are asking whether Akume’s alleged interference is part of a wider power struggle, given his status as one of the APC’s top leaders in the region. Having served as a former governor, Akume wields significant influence not only in the party but within the northern political elite, whose cooperation is vital for APC’s continued dominance in the region.
Governor Alia, a relative newcomer to the political arena, faces a delicate balancing act. His focus is on governance, but with increasing pressure from party insiders and rival factions, political stability remains a looming concern. Alia, who has garnered a strong following since his election, must navigate his way carefully through this web of party dynamics. Any misstep could be detrimental to both his own political career and the future of APC in the state.
Despite the tension, the general consensus remains that the APC must safeguard Benue’s political future at all costs. For now, the party and its key figures will have to decide if they want to resolve these conflicts internally—or risk letting personal grievances derail their campaign plans for 2027.
