Television Nigerian

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has firmly debunked widespread rumours suggesting he is planning to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the reports as a calculated attempt by political detractors to destabilize his administration and create divisions within the ruling party.

The controversy was triggered earlier in the week after online reports alleged that the governor had held a secret meeting with former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in Makurdi. The claim, which spread quickly on social media, fueled speculation that the governor was considering a defection ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia dismissed the allegations as “fabricated, malicious and laughable,” insisting that the story lacked any element of truth. Kula said the allegation was one of many smear tactics being deployed by individuals who feel threatened by the governor’s rising political influence and achievements since assuming office.

According to the statement, those behind the rumour have launched a coordinated smear campaign aimed at distracting the government and misleading unsuspecting members of the public. The false narratives, Kula noted, were also designed to create suspicion between Governor Alia and the Presidency, especially at a time when the APC is consolidating its structures nationwide.

Kula explained that Governor Alia’s style of leadership has always been inclusive and grounded in consultation with respected figures across party lines. He pointed out that the governor has consistently engaged elder statesmen, political leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures—not because of political deals, but because he believes governance requires wisdom, collaboration, and respect for all.

He stressed that the visit to Senator Ayu, like many others, was simply in line with the governor’s commitment to engaging key stakeholders for the peace and development of Benue State. He added that such meetings should not be misinterpreted or weaponized for political sensationalism.

The statement further clarified that Governor Alia has never contemplated leaving the APC. Instead, he has been deeply involved in strengthening the party’s grassroots network and expanding its membership base across all 23 local government areas. In recent months, the APC in Benue has recorded significant growth as several prominent political actors have joined the ruling party under the governor’s leadership.

The report highlighted notable figures such as Prof. David Iornem, Elder David Amo, and Ambassador Terhemen Tarzoor among those who recently defected to the APC, describing their entry as a vote of confidence in Governor Alia’s administration and his vision for the state.

Kula said the ongoing defections from opposition parties into the APC have rattled some political rivals who now resort to propaganda in an attempt to slow down the governor’s momentum. He noted that many blocs of former opposition structures have collapsed into the ruling party, resulting in defection ceremonies held across multiple communities in Benue State.

He argued that these developments directly contradict the narrative being pushed by political opponents who claim the governor is planning to leave the APC. Instead, Kula said Governor Alia has been a unifying force working tirelessly to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor’s spokesperson reaffirmed Alia’s unwavering commitment to the APC and his determination to continue delivering on his promises of development, reforms, and improved welfare for the people of Benue State. He added that Governor Alia remains open to engaging even his fiercest critics if such dialogue would help promote peace, unity, and progress in the state.

The statement concluded by urging the public to disregard the rumours entirely, insisting that they are baseless fabrications aimed at creating unnecessary tension and distracting from the achievements of the current administration. It emphasized that Governor Alia remains firmly rooted in the APC and focused on moving Benue forward.

The Southern Governors’ Forum has commended President Bola Tinubu for his swift response to recent security threats in parts of Nigeria.

Ogun State Governor and Forum Chairman, Dapo Abiodun, made the remarks during the opening of a regional meeting of southern state governors in Iperu on Wednesday. He praised the president’s exceptional leadership in tackling the recent wave of schoolchild abductions, noting that Tinubu’s personal involvement in coordinating rescue efforts—rather than delegating the task—demonstrated a rare commitment to protecting every Nigerian life.

Governor Abiodun said the successful rescue of abducted students reflects a more coordinated, intelligence-driven, and responsive security strategy. “The president’s swift action reminds us that leadership is measured not only in policy decisions but also in empathy, urgency, and decisive intervention,” he said, emphasizing that citizens can be reassured that the safety of children is a top national priority.

He also highlighted the president’s ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway, describing them as transformative investments that will boost trade, strengthen national integration, and reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape. “The president’s socio-economic reforms are already yielding visible dividends and reinforce the principle that a united Nigeria is the foundation of sustainable prosperity,” he added.

Abiodun explained that the southern governors’ meeting represents more than geographical proximity—it is a union built on shared aspirations, common challenges, and a collective determination to secure a stable and prosperous future. He noted that this spirit of unity echoes the cooperation of the old Southern Protectorate before Nigeria’s 1914 amalgamation.

The governor warned that southern Nigeria faces a critical moment amid rising security threats and economic pressures. He stressed that state police remain a non-negotiable element of true federalism and effective grassroots security. He also called for a Regional Rapid Response Fund to support emergency operations, rescue missions, forensic work, and inter-state training.

Community policing, he said, is a key pillar for early-warning detection, intelligence gathering, and building trust between citizens and law enforcement. By empowering local communities, traditional rulers, and neighborhood structures to work with security agencies, interventions can be more effective in protecting schools, farms, border towns, and key road corridors.

Abiodun urged southern states to strengthen joint security task forces, share intelligence seamlessly, and adopt regional strategies to confront threats. “I am confident we can chart a path of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for the entire southern region,” he said.

At the time of the meeting, governors from Ekiti, Enugu, Ondo, Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, Lagos, Bayelsa, and Imo states were present, while Cross River, Edo, Oyo, and Osun states were represented.

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has given a condition to lead the negotiation for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Gumi also defended his call for a non-kinetic approach towards tackling the growing insecurity mostly caused by terrorists and bandits operating in the Northern parts of the country.

Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the cleric said he will only lead the call for Kanu’s release if the IPOB leader shows remorse.

Recall that last week, Kanu was convicted on a seven-count charge by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The judge while delivering the judgement slammed a life sentence and a 20-year jail term, which would run concurrently, on the IPOB leader over the terrorism charges levelled against him by the Nigerian Government.

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He has since been moved from the facility of the Department of Security Services in Abuja to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Sokoto state to serve his sentence.

However, reacting to the court’s judgement and the activities of the IPOB leader before his arrest and trial, Gumi accused Kanu of championing the killing of Nigerian soldiers.

“This Kanu that was imprisoned for terrorism for agitating that our soldiers should be killed, if this same Kanu now will show remorse and also call for peace, honestly, I will be in the forefront in calling for his pardon and amnesty for him.

Citing some of the Northern leaders who pardoned past agitators from the Southeast and the Niger Delta region, Gumi said that majority of the leaders from the North believe in Nigeria.

“Look, Shagari, our president, we are from the same town. Shagari gave amnesty to Ojukwu. Look at Umar Yar’Adua; he gave amnesty to the Niger Delta militants, who have also committed acts of terrorism. So, this is how we are.

“We have people who are ready to put down their arms, then why do you always decide it has to be kinetic?”

“Even America could not succeed in Afghanistan, even Israel could not succeed in a small strip of land. Our army is not designed for the gorilla; no army is designed for the kind of people we are showing now, no army is designed for it,” Gumi stated.

Further speaking on behalf of the Fulani herdsmen who have been consistently accused of perpetrating some of the deadly atrocities across the country, the cleric said the herdsmen have been calling for peace.

“If you have been following, the Fulani herdsmen have been calling for peace. When you call them for peace, they come with their guns for many reasons.

“Can you call IPOB for peace? Can you call Boko Haram? I think the former president has called for peace, and they came, but now it’s difficult to call for peace again. So, anybody who inclines to peace. I’m with him, I’m telling you.” he said.