Akume Loyalists Triumph Over Alia in Fresh Benue APC Power Shift as Ticket List Sparks Renewed Rivalry
A fresh power struggle has erupted within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the emergence of loyalists of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as winners in key APC ticket allocations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to reports, Akume’s camp has gained significant ground, with several of his allies securing nominations in what is being described as a major setback for Governor Hyacinth Alia’s faction. This development comes after earlier primaries where Governor Alia’s loyalists had dominated many contests, including the governorship primary where Alia secured a landslide victory for a second term.
The latest twist in the prolonged supremacy battle between the two heavyweight politicians has intensified divisions within the party. Loyalists of the SGF are said to have “beaten” Alia’s camp in the final ticket configurations, raising concerns about party unity in Benue State.
Background to the rift includes disagreements over automatic tickets versus direct primaries. Akume had advocated for automatic tickets for incumbent APC officeholders, many of whom were aligned with him, while Governor Alia pushed for open contests to test popularity. Earlier primaries saw several Akume-aligned senators and House members lose out, but the current ticket list appears to have tilted the balance in favor of the SGF’s supporters.
Political observers view this as a significant chapter in the ongoing godfather-godson tensions, with Akume, a former governor and influential figure, reasserting influence over the party machinery in the state. Governor Alia, who rode on Akume’s backing to power in 2023, has been consolidating his own base.
The APC national leadership is expected to play a mediating role to prevent the crisis from derailing the party’s preparations for the 2027 polls in Benue, a key state in Nigeria’s North Central region.
Stakeholders have called for calm and unity, urging both camps to prioritize the party’s interest and the development of Benue State over personal ambitions.
