Benue APC peace talk: No automatic ticket for Ojema, Onuh, others as Alia insists aspirants must test popularity in primaries

A fragile truce between Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, may have temporarily calmed tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), but fresh cracks are already emerging, particularly for political actors in Benue South, IDOMA VOICE reports.

At the heart of the renewed uncertainty is Governor Alia’s firm rejection of automatic tickets for elected officials, a position that is already reshaping the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Zone C Feels the heat

For stakeholders in Benue South, also known as Zone C, the outcome of the peace deal appears less favourable. Several political figures from the zone, many of whom were previously considered secure, must now return to the trenches and battle through party primaries.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that among those affected are key aspirants and office holders, including Rt Hon. Blessing Onuh, representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency; who is eyeing a third term in office, Ojotu Ojema of Apa/Agatu, who is seeking a second term in the House of Representatives; and Lami Danladi Ogenyi, Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, who has been endorsed by her people for another term. 

Others include multiple state assembly members from the zone who must now defend their seats through competitive primaries.

The governor’s stance effectively removes any guarantee of return tickets, opening the field to challengers and intensifying intra-party competition.

Agada’s political setback

Perhaps more telling is the apparent sidelining of Austin Agada, a factional chairman loyal to the Akume-led camp during the height of the crisis.

Despite his loyalty, Agada was conspicuously absent from recognition at the high-level meeting, where Benjamin Omale was affirmed as the legitimate state chairman of the APC. 

The development signals a shift in internal power dynamics and suggests that Agada’s influence within the party structure may have significantly waned.

Roots of the crisis

The rift between Alia and Akume dates back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, when disagreements over party control and appointments split the APC in Benue into rival factions.

While one bloc, led by Agada, aligned with Akume, another faction backed by the governor consolidated its hold on the party machinery. The crisis escalated in March 2026 with parallel congresses that produced competing leadership structures.

The national leadership of the APC eventually recognised the Alia-backed congress, which produced Benjamin Omale as chairman, effectively weakening the Akume faction’s grip on the party.

Tinubu’s intervention, lingering tensions

Concerned about the implications of the division, President Bola Tinubu intervened, urging both leaders to reconcile. Sunday’s peace meeting was expected to mark a turning point.

However, rather than fully resolving the dispute, the meeting exposed deeper disagreements, particularly over the proposal for automatic tickets.

Sources revealed that Akume pushed for automatic tickets for Governor Alia and other elected officials as a way to reward loyalty and ensure continuity. 

But the governor firmly rejected the idea, insisting that all aspirants must test their popularity through transparent primaries.

Alia draws the line

Speaking after the meeting, Alia made his position clear, dismissing the proposal as inconsistent with the party’s official stance.

He emphasised that neither the national leadership of the APC nor the presidency supports automatic tickets, describing the suggestion as merely an appeal rather than a binding decision.

The governor warned that imposing candidates could trigger another internal crisis and undermine party cohesion ahead of the next election cycle.

He said: “Because the APC has made it very clear, Mr. President has stated this several times and the National Chairman of the APC also emphasized at the time that there is no automatic ticket.

“I believe this is merely a request, not a resolution. It is a prayer directed to the people of the state, urging them to reflect deeply and consider how they can support those currently serving.

Uncertain road ahead

With unresolved grievances, shifting alliances, and intensifying competition for tickets, the APC in Benue State appears far from stable.

For Benue South politicians especially, the new reality is clear: there are no guarantees. 

The path to 2027 will be defined not by endorsement, but by electoral strength within the party.