A coalition of civil society organisations and minority opposition parties has urged President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to intervene in the lingering feud between Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The coalition warned that the dispute, which began in 2023 over control of the party structure and political loyalty in the state, could deepen divisions, threaten security and undermine the APC’s electoral prospects in Benue if left unresolved.
The group made the call at a press conference held at Top Rank Hotel, Utako, Abuja, on Thursday, in a statement dated October 16, 2027, jointly signed by Comrade Richard Oduma, Joseph Uyeh, Jonah Ojobo and Dr Agbo Madaki.
It accused Akume and some APC leaders of promoting parallel political structures allegedly designed to weaken Alia’s administration.
The coalition further alleged that Akume was spearheading a “rainbow coalition” involving members of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and African Democratic Congress to undermine the governor’s political influence.
It warned that the alleged moves could worsen political tensions and jeopardise the state’s stability if the party’s national leadership failed to intervene.
The coalition also backed the position of the APC Governors’ Forum that serving governors should be recognised as leaders of the party in their respective states.
It urged the APC national leadership to uphold the principle and resolve the dispute before it further affects governance and party cohesion.
“We advise the SGF to remember that he is a statesman, not an opposition leader. As the highest-ranking member of the ruling party in the North-Central zone and a former Governor of Benue State, senator and minister, his mandate is to build bridges, not destroy them,” the statement read.
The group also called on National Assembly members allegedly loyal to Akume to reconcile with Alia in the interest of peace and the party’s unity.
It further urged the APC leadership to caution Barrister Pius Akutah over his alleged involvement in anti-party activities purportedly aimed at frustrating Alia’s second-term ambition.
The coalition warned that continued political confrontation could distract the government from its responsibilities and threaten democratic stability in the state.
“We will not sit idly by while personal egos and interests jeopardise the security and development of our people,” it said.
It added that failure to resolve the crisis could have serious consequences for governance and political stability in Benue.
The group threatened to organise a statewide protest if the alleged activities continued, insisting that the peace, stability and political future of the state must take precedence over personal interests.
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