Benue APC peace meeting ends in deadlock as Akume, Alia disagree over structure

…Only Akume, Alia held meeting in close door

The peace meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, held in Makurdi, ended in a deadlock as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia disagreed over key party structure adjustments.

President Bola Tinubu had directed the factional leaders to harmonise their differences in preparation for the 2027 general election. However, the Benue State chapter remains embroiled in a crisis regarding who controls the internal party hierarchy.

Contrary to the president’s directive, Akume and Alia provided discordant press briefings regarding the nomination process for candidates. This suggests that strategic interests in the party structure struggle remain unresolved.

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Speaking to reporters after the talks, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume said all sides agreed to move forward.

“We have seen where we went wrong, and we want to fix it. We want everyone to have a place. We want inclusion in this party,” Akume said.

George Akume noted that Governor Alia apologised during the meeting. He added that the president expects all elected APC members, from the State Assembly to the National Assembly, to return to the party automatically.

Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, however, stated that the president and the APC national chairman have clarified that there are no automatic tickets for any candidate.

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“The president and the national chairman said there is no automatic ticket for anyone in the party,” Alia told reporters.

The governor explained that his apology was a gesture to maintain peace. “We all agreed to come under one roof to reconcile and find common ground for the progress of our party and the good of Benue State,” he said.

Governor Alia added that the party must not miss the opportunity to provide good governance to the people. Following these inconsequential addresses, political observers believe the impact of the meeting will be evident within days.