Benue 2027: Alia can second term win without campaigning -APC Chieftain, Okpokwu Ogenyi

An APC chieftain in Benue State, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, has declared that Governor Hyacinth Alia remains the most formidable political force in the state, insisting that the governor enjoys overwhelming grassroots support capable of delivering victory with little or no campaign.

Speaking during an interview on TVC Breakfast, Ogenyi said Alia’s popularity cuts across political, religious and social divides, maintaining that the governor can win any election regardless of the political platform he contests on.

“The governor can win 80 per cent of Benue votes without even going out to campaign for extra votes.”

He further claimed that the governor’s political strength transcends party affiliation.

“He can remain in any party and still win election.”

According to Ogenyi, Alia’s popularity was built around the “Yes Father Movement,” which he said propelled the Catholic priest-turned-politician to victory in the 2023 governorship election.

“That was what brought him to power. He came into the APC with a movement called the ‘Yes Father Movement.’ It was the ‘Yes Father Movement’ that won the 2023 election for us.”

When asked whether the governor’s religious influence translates into political success, Ogenyi answered in the affirmative, arguing that Alia commands support beyond the Christian community.

“People from all walks of life—even from Abuja—go to Benue for prayers.”

“Commercial motorcycle riders are not all Christians. Farmers, civil servants and people from different backgrounds all support him.”

He added that ordinary Benue residents, rather than political elites, constitute the governor’s strongest support base.

“They tell us politicians, ‘Who are you? We, the farmers and civil servants, will vote for the governor and defeat you politicians.'”

The APC stalwart dismissed claims that Governor Alia could become a political liability to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that those making such claims were deceiving their supporters.

“For anyone to come on television and say the governor cannot win re-election or that he is a political liability is simply deceiving his followers.”

Ogenyi argued that although the governor may not control all the traditional political structures in the state, he enjoys overwhelming acceptance among the electorate.

“The support is already there. The only challenge is the remaining 20 per cent, made up largely of traditional politicians who see politics as a business.”

He, however, advised Governor Alia to accommodate more political stakeholders in the interest of unity without sacrificing development.

“The governor should accommodate some of these traditional politicians, but not at the expense of the development and progress Benue State is witnessing.”

The APC chieftain also maintained that candidates who emerge on the party’s platform would struggle to win elections without Governor Alia’s backing.

“If the governor does not support any of the National Assembly members who secured the party’s ticket, they will still lose.”

He added that the internal crisis within the Benue APC could ultimately affect President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid if not resolved quickly.

“It could also affect President Tinubu’s re-election votes in Benue because the governor will have to come out wholeheartedly to support whichever candidates eventually emerge.”

His comments come amid lingering disagreements within the Benue APC following the party’s National Assembly primaries, with President Bola Tinubu and other party leaders expected to intervene in reconciliation efforts.