Akume vs Alia war: Benue APC implodes as SGF-led faction weighs alliance with PDP or ADC ahead of 2027

The deepening crisis within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have reached a critical stage, as the political rift between Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, continues to fracture the ruling party.

IDOMA VOICE recalls that what began as a quiet struggle for control of the party structure has now spiralled into open confrontation, raising fears among party stakeholders that the APC in Benue may face a major implosion ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recent developments suggest that a faction aligned with the SGF is considering the possibility of aligning with opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that could significantly reshape the state’s political landscape.

The seeds of the crisis were sown shortly after the 2023 general elections which saw Governor Alia emerge victorious on the platform of the APC. While the party celebrated its return to power in Benue, tensions soon began to surface between loyalists of the governor and political allies of Senator Akume, the former governor of the state and long-time leader of the APC in Benue.

Observers noted that the struggle is largely about control of the party structure and political influence in the state.
Akume, regarded as the political godfather of the APC in Benue, commands a large network of loyalists across the state’s political landscape. Governor Alia, on the other hand, has sought to assert his authority as the leader of the party in government.

This competing influence has gradually divided the party into two major camps.

The crisis escalated dramatically with the conduct of parallel congresses by the rival factions with both groups producing diffrent excos.

While the faction loyal to the governor insisted it was conducting legitimate party processes, the Akume-aligned group dismissed the exercise and organised a separate congress, resulting in two competing leadership structures within the party.

The parallel congresses further exposed the depth of mistrust and rivalry between the camps, leaving the national leadership of the APC struggling to restore unity.

Party insiders say reconciliation efforts initiated by the national secretariat have made little progress as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

The SGF-led faction is said to be weighing various strategic options, including possible alliances with opposition parties, should reconciliation within the APC fail.

Such a move, political observers warn, could significantly weaken the ruling party in Benue and alter the balance of power in the state.

“This crisis is not just about personalities; it is about political survival and the struggle for relevance,” a party stakeholder said.

Despite growing concerns among party faithful, reconciliation between the two camps remains uncertain. Efforts by party elders and national leaders to broker peace have so far yielded limited results.

Many stakeholders fear that if the dispute continues unresolved, the APC could enter the next election cycle deeply divided, giving opposition parties an opportunity to regain political ground in the state.

For now, the battle for supremacy between the Akume and Alia camps continues to shape the political narrative in Benue, leaving the future of the APC in the state hanging in the balanc