There is political intrigue in Benue State following reports of a fresh political alliance involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, former Governor Samuel Ortom and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Stakeholders in Benue noted that the high-level political arrangement was being negotiated with the aim of reshaping the political landscape of Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections and defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

One of them, Prof. Joseph Vershima, noted that “the arrangement could have significant implications for both the presidential and governorship contests in the state, particularly for the political fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.”

Vershima is the national leader of the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria (ICTN) who also addressed a press conference held at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja on the same issues.

The centre claimed that elements within the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had entered into an understanding to support the presidential ambition of Atiku ahead of the 2027 election.

It further alleged that Aondoakaa, whom it described as a long-standing political associate of Atiku, had played a significant role in building a political bridge between Ortom’s political structure and a faction of the APC allegedly loyal to Akume.

He stated that under the purported arrangement, Atiku would provide financial support for the PDP governorship candidate in Benue, while Akume’s political structure and some elements within the PDP would support and mobilise for Atiku’s presidential campaign.

The group questioned the implications of such an arrangement, particularly whether those allegedly involved would prioritise the interests of the APC and President Tinubu or pursue a separate political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.

They noted that any alleged collaboration aimed at weakening the APC’s support base in Benue could directly affect President Tinubu’s chances of retaining the state during the 2027 presidential election.

“Beyond the governorship contest, this development has implications for the presidential election because Benue remains a strategic state in the North Central,” Vershima stated.

He urged President Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to pay close attention to internal political dynamics in Benue, alleging that unresolved alliances and conflicting interests within the APC could pose challenges during the election.

The centre also drew parallels with the 2007 presidential election, alleging that Senator George Akume’s political decisions at the time favoured Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid against the preferred candidate of the ruling establishment.

It questioned whether a similar political realignment could emerge again in 2027, stating that history must not be allowed to repeat itself.

The new alignments have added a new dimension to the unfolding political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Benue State increasingly becoming a focal point in Nigeria’s emerging political contest.