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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is facing one of its deepest internal crises following the conclusion of parallel ward congresses organised by factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
The exercises, conducted across the state’s 23 local government areas, produced separate sets of ward executives, cementing a divide that threatens the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
The SGF-aligned camp, led by Comrade Austin Agada, announced that existing ward executives were reaffirmed for another four-year term.
State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun described the congresses as peaceful and conducted in line with directives from the APC national secretariat.
Meanwhile, the governor-aligned faction under Benjamin Omale declared that new ward executives emerged through a consensus-based election process.
State Organising Secretary of the Alia-led faction, James Ornguga rejected claims of automatic reaffirmation, noting that party rules do not allow incumbents to continue without fresh elections.
He explained that the ward executives’ tenure ended in July 2025, local government executives’ tenure ended in September 2025, while state executives’ tenure ended on February 8, 2026.
Ornguga described the process as legitimate and transparent, reflecting the will of party members across the state.
Both factions insist their processes complied with APC guidelines, leaving the state chapter operating under dual structures at the grassroots level.
Political analysts warn that the parallel exercises could lead to confusion among members, complicate delegate selection, and undermine the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts.
Terna Ihom, a political commentator in Makurdi, said: “The completion of these parallel ward congresses solidifies the divide in Benue APC.
“Each faction now controls its own machinery, and this could influence candidate selection and electoral outcomes for the 2027 elections. Reconciliation will require intervention at the national level.”
The crisis dates back to disagreements over key appointments early in Governor Alia’s administration.
Reports indicate that SGF Akume recommended Engr. Nick Wende for Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but the governor appointed Professor Joseph Alkali instead.
Tensions escalated over leadership in the State House of Assembly, with preferred nominees allegedly sidelined in favour of candidates supported by the governor.
The feud intensified following the removal of Comrade Austin Agada from the party secretariat, the suspension of 13 lawmakers aligned with Akume, and restrictions on political activities in the state.
Two favorable court rulings for the SGF faction did little to restore access to the secretariat, forcing the faction to conduct its congresses separately.
Suswam’s alignment shifts the balance
Governor Alia’s political camp recently gained significant momentum following the defection of former Governor Gabriel Suswam to the APC.
It is believed that Suswam has now assumed the position of a political patron to Alia, in the aftermath of his rift with Akume.
While the Alia faction claimed oversight by national committees from Abuja, the SGF-aligned camp insisted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored proceedings.
An INEC official, speaking anonymously, clarified that the commission only monitors official committees recognized by the party’s national secretariat and is not a party to internal factional disputes.
Speaking on the outcome of the congress, 2023 senatorial candidate of the APC in Benue South, Dan Onjeh, said there was no parallel congress as reported in the media.
According to him, the other faction led by Agada ceased to exist since 2025.
He said, “There was no parallel congress anywhere in Benue. At present, the chairman of the APC in Benue State, who is Chief Benjamin Omale, oversees the party’s activities in the state, operating under the constitutional authority of the National Working Committee (NWC).
“NWC has the power to intervene and dissolve party structures when necessary, ensuring that internal disputes do not undermine the party’s functioning.
“It is clear that party issues in the state have sometimes been exaggerated by media reports. When the NWC provides guidance or directives, ambiguity collapses, and any claims of parallel leadership or factional disputes should be substantiated with evidence.
“Over the years, it must be understood that the government and governors serve as party leaders at the state level, a practice followed nationwide, with national secretaries keeping them informed before and after party congresses.”
“Regarding media reports suggesting factionalism led by Senator George Akume (SGF), it is important to note that the APC in Benue State remains united.
“Allegations of parallel congresses or conflicting party leadership are unsubstantiated. Former leaders and party officials stress that all congresses, including the most recent, were conducted peacefully, following the official provisions and rules of the APC.
“There is only one recognized structure of the party, and any claim to the contrary must be backed with credible proof.
“The party does not tolerate self-organized elections outside official channels. Any such attempt undermines constitutional procedures and is therefore invalid.
“All recognized elections are supervised and documented according to party regulations, and results are formally communicated to the national level.
“In summary, the just-concluded APC congress in Benue State was conducted peacefully, in line with national guidelines, and there were no parallel elections or factional disputes.
“The party structure in the state operates under recognized national authority, ensuring that its processes remain constitutional, transparent, and united,” he said
On his part, Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun, Publicity Secretary of the APC in Benue State, admitted that although there was a parallel congress by the Alia-led faction, it is null and void. He said their election was conducted without due process.
“Yes, there was a parallel congress, but it does not hold water. What we did was the reaffirmation of ward executives for another four-year tenure, through a vote of confidence by party faithful.
“Anyone claiming to be part of the party executive committee outside the people we reaffirmed is an impostor,” he said
Alfred Apochi, former lawmaker from Ogbadibo, said the election was conducted peacefully in Ehaje Ward II, with the emergence of Onoja Agada as the ward chairman.
“In fact, we had the most peaceful election in my ward. The outgoing chairman, Tony Okpe, stood in line to vote for the new chairman.
“So, there was no faction in my place,” he said over the phone.
With both factions now entrenched and Suswam’s involvement strengthening the governor’s camp, Benue APC faces a crucial test of internal cohesion.
National leadership is expected to intervene, either to harmonize outcomes or recognize one structure officially.
For now, the Benue APC remains a house divided, with dual ward structures, competing claims of legitimacy, and no immediate resolution in sight.
