There is growing confusion among supporters of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, over his alleged move to pitch his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
This comes on the heels of his conspicuous absence from a high-profile endorsement event at the Presidential Villa where the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 polls.
The event, organised by the APC National Working Committee to showcase party unity ahead of 2027, took a dramatic turn when Governor Alia arrived only after the endorsement had concluded, further fueling speculation about his wavering loyalty and intensifying tensions within the ruling party.
A source at the meeting said the event was almost over and members of the party were wondering why the governor was missing from such an important gathering, especially since he was known to be in Abuja and had earlier attended the North Central meeting of the party.
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It was at that point, the source added, that a close aide quickly placed a call to him, prompting the governor to rush down to the venue, but by then, the event was virtually over.
Multiple sources confirmed that Alia had demanded a dual endorsement — one for Tinubu and one for his reelection bid, as a condition for participating in the event.
When this was rejected by the party hierarchy, the governor reportedly pulled out of all negotiations and intensified secret talks with ADC operatives, raising alarms among political observers and grassroots supporters alike.
Alia’s alleged defection plan has left his camp in disarray, with aides and loyalists offering conflicting accounts of his next political move.
Some insisted that he remains firmly within the APC, while others quietly admit that “serious consultations” are ongoing with the ADC, coordinated by opposition figures including former Governor Gabriel Suswam.
The confusion is further compounded by the longstanding cold war between Governor Alia and his political godfather, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The rift began shortly after Alia’s inauguration in 2023 and has since plunged the Benue APC into deep crisis, resulting in two parallel party structures.
While Akume reportedly controls over 80% of the APC structure in the state, Alia has entrenched a rival faction, sidelining loyalists of the SGF and attempting — albeit unsuccessfully — to oust the APC State Chairman, Mr. Austin Agada, a known Akume ally.
That attempt was nullified by a Federal High Court ruling in Makurdi on November 28, 2024, which reinstated Agada and dealt a blow to Alia’s efforts to consolidate control.
Despite the legal setback, Alia has continued to operate a parallel executive, fueling widespread belief that he is preparing to dump the APC entirely.
His alleged involvement in secretly funding Suswam’s failed bid for PDP National Chairman further raises questions about his true political intentions and willingness to build alliances across party lines.
“What Governor Alia is doing is not politics as usual. He is moving like a man without a party,” said a senior APC member in Makurdi.
“He hasn’t declared for ADC, yet everything he’s doing shows he’s no longer with us.”
For now, the governor remains silent — neither confirming nor denying his rumored exit from the APC.
But his actions speak louder than words.
“By boycotting a defining moment for the party and deepening ties with rival forces, Alia has not only alienated much of the APC base in Benue but also cast a long shadow over the party’s unity heading into 2027, a political analysts said.
