The crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has taken a dramatic turn as loyalists of Governor Hyacinth Alia and supporters of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, hold parallel ward congresses amid deepening factional tensions.
Both camps have traded claims over the legitimacy of the exercises.
The Akume-aligned faction insists there is only one recognised APC structure in the state, maintaining that the ward congresses were conducted peacefully and strictly in accordance with national party guidelines.
Leaders of the group argue that the process was properly supervised and duly communicated to the party’s national secretariat, dismissing allegations of factionalism as politically motivated.
However, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun, acknowledged that a parallel congress was organised by the Alia faction but described it as invalid and unconstitutional.
According to him, what his camp carried out was a reaffirmation of existing ward executives for another four-year term through a vote of confidence. He warned that anyone parading themselves as executives outside the reaffirmed structure should be regarded as impostors.
Offering a different perspective, former Ogbadibo lawmaker Alfred Apochi said the exercise in his ward was peaceful and orderly, with new leadership emerging without incident. He dismissed suggestions of grassroots division, insisting the process reflected unity at the local level.
Despite efforts by both sides to downplay the severity of the dispute, the unfolding developments signal a significant internal power struggle over control of the party structure in Benue.
With tensions escalating and alliances shifting, the state chapter of the APC faces a critical test of cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
Political observers expect the national leadership of the party to intervene — either by harmonising the outcomes of the parallel congresses or formally recognising one structure — in order to avert further fragmentation within the ruling party.
