2027: Gov Alia, SGF, Akume In Fresh Fight Over Automatic Ticket For APC Aspirants In Benue.

From Attah Ede Makurdi 

The All Progressives Congress APC in Benue State, on Sunday 3rd May 2026, held its peace and reconciliation meeting which saw the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the state governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia disagreeing with automatic ticket.

Speaking with  journalists shortly after the meeting that was held at government house Makurdi, Senator  Akume stated that it was resolved that automatic ticket should be giving to  Mr. President, national assembly members, governor and State house of assembly members.

He added that resolution was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who initiated the peace and reconciliation meeting of party stakeholders in the State.

The meeting, held at the state Government House, according to the SGF, was to find lasting peace to the lingering crisis rocking the party in the state.

The SGF insisted that part of the resolution was an automatic ticket for all elective officers, from the governor to all members of the National and State Assemblies.

He  further said that the governor had apologised for all the crises in the party in the state.

Senator Akume said, “Where we went wrong, we want to get back and we want everybody to have a place, we want inclusiveness in this party.

“Secondly, the Rev. Fr. (governor) said he was sorry, which is very good. He told us he was sorry for what had happened.

“And of course again, all those elected on the platform of the APC, from the State Assembly to the National Assembly must still come back. It’s automatic, they must come back and Fr must return to us. Those are the issues we discussed.”,c

But the state governor countered senator  Akume while addressing  journalists after the meeting.

According to him, the President and the national chairman of the party had emphasised that there is no automatic ticket for any candidate in the party.

He admitted that he apologised as a responsible leader to allow peace to reign in the party.

Alia said, “We all agreed to come under one roof and the import of this is to reconcile with each other and to find common ground as we were working and operating before now.

“To work for the progress of our party and the development of APC in the state and the nation at large, and we cannot afford to miss the opportunity for the citizens of the state to enjoy.

“For those who were aggrieved, I have to apologize on behalf of every member of APC. By doing that, it was deliberate as a responsible leader of the party.”

Speaking on the resolution of the party, the governor said that it was beyond him and the SGF.

“The resolution is beyond both of us because APC has told us plainly and Mr President has mentioned several times, as well as the national chairman of APC, all said there is no automatic ticket.

“What the SGF said was a prayer and not a resolution, but a prayer to people to see how they can support those who are serving currently. That is not what the President and national chairman said. It was an appeal and prayer to the citizens of the state to be able to bring these people back.”

The ruling APC in the state has faced serious turmoil in the past three years due to a leadership tussle between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the state governor, Hyacinth Alia.

The struggle for control of the party structure has pitched the governor against his political godfather and party stakeholders, thus splitting the party into two factions.

The groups had, in the last congresses, produced separate working committees from ward to state level.

Also speaking journalists former commissioner for science, energy and transport, Chief Nick Eworo, commended President Bola Tinubu for convening this meeting, saying that it has given lead way for both Alia and the President.

"This meeting has shown clearly that the governor has the mind for development. That is why he came into public limelight and that is the difference between him and what it used to be. So, am happy that there nobody here to contest with him", he said.