Benue APC crisis deepens as Gov Alia, SGF Akume issue separate nomination forms

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The internal power struggle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has escalated after Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, separately issued INEC nomination forms to rival groups of State House of Assembly candidates.
Of the 37 available state assembly tickets, Governor Alia’s camp secured 24 candidates, while 13 candidates aligned with Senator Akume received their nomination forms directly from the SGF.
An analysis of the official list reveals a distinct geographical divide between the two factions – Governor Alia’s Camp dominates with candidates from Benue South (Zone C) and Benue North East (Zone A) and Senator Akume’s Camp, controlling the majority of slots in Benue North West (Zone B), alongside a few candidates from Zones A and C.
This split follows a similar dynamic during the National Assembly primaries, where the APC National Working Committee (NWC) overturned several initial primary results.
In that instance, Akume’s camp secured two Senate and nine House of Representatives slots, while Governor Alia’s loyalists received two House seats.
Speaking through the Benue APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, Governor Alia urged his 24 candidates to serve as worthy representatives of the party.
“I congratulate all our candidates and urge them to remain true ambassadors of our great party by engaging our people with humility, integrity, and a clear vision for effective representation,” Rev. Fr. Alia stated.
State APC Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe reinforced the call for unity, emphasizing that the candidates’ emergence reflects the confidence placed in their capacity to deliver purposeful governance.
Meanwhile, Dan-Morgan Ihomun, spokesperson for the Akume-aligned APC faction, explained that the APC national secretariat authorized the dual distribution of forms.
He confirmed that candidates loyal to Senator Akume received their forms directly from the SGF, while those aligned with the governor received theirs from Alia’s team.