Benue APC crisis will hurt Tinubu’s re-election – Okpokwu Ogenyi warns

An APC chieftain in Benue State, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, has warned that the lingering crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 if party leaders fail to resolve their differences.

Speaking during an interview on TVC Breakfast, Ogenyi said the prolonged face-off between supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia and those of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, poses a serious threat to the party’s electoral fortunes.

He warned that the internal divisions could split the party’s support base and ultimately weaken President Tinubu’s chances in Benue State.

“The continuous crisis, as we speak, may also affect Mr President’s election,” Ogenyi said.

The APC stalwart, who said he is involved in President Tinubu’s re-election mobilisation, stressed that party stakeholders must urgently reconcile the feuding camps.

“If this crisis is not resolved amicably, it will come to a point that the supporters of the SGF will begin to work openly against the governor. You will also see the supporters of the governor working openly against the SGF, and therefore our votes will be largely affected.”

He warned that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could capitalise on the ruling party’s internal crisis.

“Remember that the PDP has regrouped in Benue, waiting for our misfortune to cash in.”

Ogenyi called on President Tinubu to personally intervene by bringing Governor Alia and Senator Akume to the negotiating table.

According to him, only the President has the authority and influence to end the crisis threatening the party in the state.

“The only person who can resolve this crisis is Mr President himself because I believe the national leadership of the party is handicapped as far as this lingering crisis is concerned.”

He urged the President to broker a peace agreement between the two leaders to preserve party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“President Tinubu should call the governor and the SGF to a meeting and commit them to signing a peace agreement on the sharing of political responsibilities so that we can have lasting peace in Benue.”

Ogenyi maintained that the crisis was not beyond resolution, insisting that both Governor Alia and Senator Akume have no personal differences but have been let down by their supporters.

“The SGF should be magnanimous enough to sanction his supporters, while the governor should also be magnanimous enough to accommodate some of these people.”

He warned that unless urgent reconciliation efforts are undertaken, the APC risks entering the 2027 elections divided, with consequences not only for the party in Benue but also for President Tinubu’s quest for a second term.