Tor Tiv, Och’Idoma wade into Benue APC supremacy war, declare support for Gov Alia

The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, Dr. John Elaigwu, have stirred fresh political controversy in Benue State after openly backing Governor Hyacinth Alia in the raging APC supremacy battle ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a joint letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the two foremost traditional rulers appealed to the President not to tamper with the APC structure currently controlled by Governor Alia.

The monarchs stated that the APC structure emerged through a “transparent conduct of party congresses” and urged Tinubu “not to allow any change in the party structure that emerged after due process in favour of the Governor, due to pressure from some political actors.”

The letter further noted that control of the party structure has enabled Governor Alia to “consolidate leadership, strengthen governance, and further align the state with the vision and progressive ideals” of Tinubu’s administration.

The royal fathers also declared that Alia was now “poised to deliver Benue to the APC at all levels in the 2027 general elections.”

Though no individual was mentioned in the letter, political observers believe the appeal may be connected to the lingering political tension between Governor Alia and forces loyal to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, over the control of the APC structure in Benue State.

The letter has since generated reactions from different quarters, with critics accusing the monarchs of openly taking sides in partisan politics.

Reacting to the development, a social activist condemned the intervention by the traditional rulers, saying royal fathers must remain neutral in political disputes.

“Stop desecrating our royal stool with partisan politics,” the activist said.

The controversy is expected to further deepen divisions within the Benue APC as the battle for political dominance ahead of 2027 continues to intensify.