By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The seemingly intractable disagreement between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Senator George Akume, have forced the leadership of the All Progressive Congress APC into the adoption of the cumbersome and unwieldy direct primaries mode in Benue state ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Source reports that the Governor and his eirstwhile political godfather has been engaged in an intense rivalry over the control of the APC structure in the State, a development that culminated in the conduct of two State Party Congresses earlier in the year.
Despite allegedly riding on the back of Akume’s established political structure to the Benue State seat of power in 2023, Governor Alia has since sought to assert his independence, with the two first testing their strength at the state legislative body earlier on.
The disagreement which first blew into a full blown war during the state’s local council polls in 2024, later spread to the House of Assembly where the two engaged in a bitter struggle for control.
The decision to adopt the direct primaries method which has never held any attraction in many states ,and even in opposition parties owing to its susceptibility to chaos and uncertainties became the last option to avert the escalation of the crisis between the two contending forces.
A statement on Tuesday May 5, 2026, from the Benue State APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale , informed that the decision, as conveyed by the North-Central National Vice Chairman, Mu’azu Rijau, was taken during a reconciliation meeting held on Sunday May 3,in Makurdi, the State capital.
According to the statement, the APC National Vice Chairman who presided over the peace meeting addressed concerns arising from alleged plans to offer automatic tickets to some preferred aspirants.
Rijau, however, was said to have assured that the APC will fully subscribe to party directives as well as the provisions of the Electoral Act in the conduct of its primaries.
” Right from 2022 and 2023 when we took over power, we have been one family, and today, we are all back to the fold as one united family.
“Principally, like I mentioned, based on party directives, and the provisions of the Electoral Act, the mode of primaries should be consensus or direct.
“Initially, we decided to adopt direct primaries in Benue state and that remains the decision” Omale stated.
He expressed the confidence that the clarification on the mode of primaries should be able to calm frayed nerves and douse tension arising from concerns about the possibility of granting automatic tickets to aspirants.
The State Chairman, also, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for encouraging the trouble-shooting efforts of the party in the state, assuring that the party will in the end emerge stronger and more united.
Omale emphasized that the reconciliation meeting and the outcome have considerably eased tension and disagreements with stakeholders committing themselves to the task ahead.
The statement equally acknowledged the sacrifices by Governor Alia, particularly in creating an enabling environment for the reconciliation efforts.
According to Omale, the Governor’s unwavering support, commitment to unity and leadership in the party have continued to bring growth and strength to the APC in Benue State.
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