Benue APC crisis over as Alia, Akume resolve differences – Suswam

Former Benue State governor and Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam has said there is no division between Governor Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the state.

Suswam made the remarks on Thursday while noting that Governor Alia and SGF Akume have reconciled their differences following a major APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi.

He spoke during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he also reacted to his victory at the APC senatorial primary in Benue North East Zone A.

The former governor emerged winner of the senatorial ticket after polling 131,083 votes in a contest that covered seven local government areas, defeating incumbent Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende.

Speaking on his victory, Suswam said: “It’s the APC part that I belong to. A few weeks ago under the instrumentality of Mr President all of us were called by the governor in Benue including the SGF and stakeholders of APC in Benue to the Government House.

“We held a very impressive reconciliation meeting and at the end of the meeting both the governor and the SGF made statements to the people indicating that reconciliations have taken place.

“There is no divide in Benue as far as I know and am concerned.”

The former governor also dismissed claims of belonging to any faction in the state APC.

He added: “I was nominated and contested under the platform of the APC, not the platform of the SGF or the governor.”

Suswam further mentioned that Alia remains the political father of Benue State, adding that they are all seeking his support

“The governor is the political father of the state as of now so everybody must seek the support of the governor.

“So all of us are seeking the support of the governor and I thank God that I emerged victorious in the nomination process,” he added.