Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has raised concerns that granting automatic tickets to APC lawmakers for the 2027 general elections could undermine the state’s political zoning tradition and create serious problems for the party.
According to reports, Governor Alia believes Benue’s political culture values the rotation of power and equitable representation. Allowing some politicians to remain in office without considering existing zoning arrangements, he warned, could leave other groups feeling excluded and create divisions within the party.
The governor’s position echoes a growing national debate on whether serving politicians should automatically retain their seats or if every aspirant deserves a fresh contest to uphold party rules and zoning principles. He questioned the fairness of some politicians wanting automatic tickets simply because they are already in office while others insist that party members and aspirants should compete on equal terms.
Governor Alia urged all stakeholders to respect existing zoning arrangements and ensure that the 2027 elections deliver meaningful representation to every part of Benue State. The matter has sparked intense debate among APC members and political observers who see it as a critical test for the party’s unity and democratic credentials ahead of the next general election.
