Benue State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sam Ode, has dismissed rumours suggesting that Governor Hyacinth Alia is planning to replace him ahead of the 2027 general elections. He described the speculation as completely false and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, especially residents of the Benue South Senatorial District.
Mr. Ode made this clarification while speaking at a funeral held on Friday in Owukpa, a community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area. He was in the area to represent the governor at the event when he addressed the media and the crowd, reacting to growing social media rumours.
“There is no truth in the speculation that Governor Alia intends replacing me with Ojotu Ojema or anyone else,” he said firmly.
The deputy governor explained that the falsehood was being spread to create confusion in the political space and stir tension among the people of Benue South, who form a large voting bloc in the state. He advised residents not to fall for such rumours, which he said were being spread by those who do not mean well for the state.
“The intention of these people is to create distrust and division between the governor and me,” Ode said. “I can assure you that my relationship with Governor Alia remains very cordial. We are both focused on serving the people of Benue and delivering the dividends of democracy.”
The rumour, which began circulating on various social media platforms in recent weeks, claimed that there was a secret plan within the Benue All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace Sam Ode with Ojotu Ojema, a politician from the same senatorial zone, as the new deputy governor before the 2027 election cycle.
The claim gained attention because political tensions have been rising in parts of Benue as groups begin early positioning ahead of the next general election. However, no official source from the state government or the APC confirmed the report, leading many to believe it was a case of political mischief.
Sam Ode, a respected politician from Benue South, was chosen as the running mate to Hyacinth Alia in the 2023 elections under the platform of the APC. Their joint ticket defeated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a hotly contested race, ending PDP’s long hold on the state.
Since coming into office, the Alia-Ode administration has pledged to improve infrastructure, security, and access to basic services across the state, especially in rural communities.
Speaking further in Owukpa, Ode noted that his priority, along with Governor Alia’s, is to stay focused on delivering good governance and improving the lives of Benue citizens. He warned against allowing unnecessary distractions to derail the administration’s developmental goals.
“We don’t have time for distractions. We are working hard to solve the problems our people are facing, from insecurity to poor roads, education, and healthcare. Anyone spreading rumours of a political plot is only trying to slow down progress,” Ode said.
He called on political leaders and stakeholders from Benue South to unite in support of the state government, reminding them that the success of the current administration would benefit everyone, regardless of political interests.
“I remain committed to my people, and I am serving with all honesty and energy. There is no crack in our government. We are united and determined to do our best,” he stressed.
Several political observers in Benue have also dismissed the replacement rumour as premature and baseless. A local analyst, Mr. Terna Aondo, said the rumour appears to be part of early 2027 political scheming but lacks substance.
“What we are seeing is an early attempt to play political chess, but there’s no real evidence backing these claims. From what we know, Governor Alia and his deputy have been working closely,” Aondo said.
Others have warned that spreading such unfounded rumours could damage the state’s political stability, especially at a time when citizens are more concerned about development than political games.
As the state government continues its efforts to address security and development challenges, the deputy governor urged citizens to be cautious about the kind of information they consume and share.
“Let us focus on unity and progress. We must not allow rumours to divide us or distract us from the work at hand. Together, we can build a better Benue,” Ode concluded.