A deepening political rift in Benue State is threatening the re-election chances of several federal lawmakers ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains sharply divided.
At the centre of the crisis is the power struggle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, a contest that has split the party structure and forced elected officials to align with one of the rival camps.
Benue State currently has 14 federal lawmakers in the National Assembly – three senators and 11 members of the House of Representatives – elected during the 2023 general elections on the platforms of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC dominates the state’s delegation, controlling 10 seats in the House of Representatives and two Senate positions, while the PDP holds one Senate seat after losing its only House seat to the ruling party through defection.
However, since the elections, internal divisions within the APC have intensified, with lawmakers increasingly aligning either with Governor Alia or Akume.
Political observers say the rivalry is already shaping the battle for party tickets ahead of 2027.
The crisis has already triggered political realignments among federal lawmakers from the state.
Recently, Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives and a known ally of Akume, defected from the APC to the Labour Party.
It was gathered that the move was part of the fallout from the governor’s tightening grip on the party’s structure in the state.
Sources familiar with the situation said the political outlook for many incumbents seeking re-election on the APC platform is uncertain.
“Out of the 11 House of Representatives members from Benue who are in the APC, only Solomon Wombo is with Governor Alia, and only he has full assurance of the APC ticket,” a source told The PUNCH.
“The remaining 10 members are aligned with Akume, including Philip Agbese, who has since defected to the Labour Party.”
The source added that even the state’s two APC senators are reportedly not aligned with the governor.
The political uncertainty has also affected prominent figures such as Blessing Onuh, the daughter of former Senate President David Mark.
Her political future, sources say, may depend on the shifting alliances within the state’s political structure.
According to insiders, tensions have emerged between her and the governor over the House of Representatives seat in the Otukpo federal constituency.
“Blessing Onuh was previously aligned with Alia, but internal disagreements have emerged. The governor reportedly wants the seat to shift to Ohimini after Otukpo has held it for eight years,” the source said.
However, Onuh is believed to be exploring options to retain her seat as she reportedly eyes a principal leadership position in the House of Representatives from the North Central zone.
Attempts to resolve the crisis within the Benue APC have reportedly made little progress despite interventions from top federal officials.
Sources said Vice President Kashim Shettima recently met with members of the Benue National Assembly caucus, assuring them of support for their return tickets.
He also reportedly urged them to persuade Agbese to return to the APC.
Despite the assurances, doubts remain over whether Governor Alia would endorse such arrangements.
“Despite the vice president’s assurances, there is serious doubt that the governor would allow it to happen. That is why Agbese defected on the floor of the House,” the source said.
Further attempts to broker peace between the rival camps have also reportedly stalled.
According to insiders, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, have both attempted to mediate between the governor and the lawmakers.
However, these efforts have reportedly failed to bring the parties together.
“Several meetings were called at the instance of Speaker Abbas, but the governor did not attend. Even the meetings convened by the National Security Adviser were not successful,” the source alleged.
“Akume and the lawmakers attended, but the governor did not show up.”
The ongoing crisis is rooted in a long-standing political rivalry between Governor Alia and George Akume, one of the most influential political figures in North Central Nigeria.
Akume served as Governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2007 and later held positions as Minister of Special Duties before his appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Over the years, he built a powerful political network that has shaped the state’s electoral outcomes.
Governor Alia, however, emerged as a political outsider before winning the 2023 governorship election, riding on a wave of grassroots support.
Since assuming office, he has moved to consolidate control of the party machinery in the state, particularly over nominations, appointments, and party leadership.
At the heart of the dispute is the control of the APC party structure in Benue, which ultimately determines who secures party tickets for elective offices.
In Nigeria’s political system, governors often wield significant influence over party structures in their states, making the struggle for control a decisive factor ahead of major elections.