APC ward congress: Alia, Akume produce parallel excos in Benue

The quest to control the party structure in the ongoing congresses of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Benue State, has renewed the cold war between the state governor, Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

It will be recalled that the cold war between the governor and SGF began shortly after the former’s inauguration in 2023. Since then, Governor Alia had tried unsuccessfully to assert his authority as the leader of the party in the state.

But the Wednesday ward congress has further created a big gully in the party, with the two leaders producing parallel excos.

The Austin Agada-led exco, loyal to the SGF, claimed that the ward congress held on Wednesday was a reaffirmation of old excos at the ward level, while the governor Alia loyalist said that the ward congress, which was conducted through consensus across the state, produced new excos since the lifespan of the entire old excos had officially ended.

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The state publicity secretary of the Austin Agada-led faction, Daniel Ihomun, who spoke to Tribune Online on Thursday, claimed that their excos at the ward level were reaffirmed to continue for the next four years in office.

He said, “We heartily congratulate all ward executives who were affirmed by their respective congresses to continue in office for another tenure of four years.

“Your reaffirmation is a demonstration of the confidence reposed in you by the party faithful. We urge you to justify this trust by remaining transparent, inclusive, dedicated, and committed to strengthening the party at the grassroots.

“The mandate given to you is a call to service, not an avenue for personal interest.”

Ihomun, who appreciated the SGF for his exemplary leadership and fatherly role in holding the party together, further said that Akume ‘s guidance, experience, and unwavering commitment continue to provide stability and direction for the party in the state.

“With the remarkable success recorded at the Ward Congresses, the Benue State APC is more united, focused, and determined than ever to consolidate its strength and mobilise effectively towards delivering victory for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” Ihomun said

In his argument, the state publicity secretary of the caretaker committee of the party in the state loyal to Governor Alia, James Ornguga, countered the reaffirmation stance of the factional group.

Ornguga said that the new excos were elected through consensus during the Wednesday ward congress.

He said, “What happened during our ward congresses yesterday was consensus; there were no guidelines for old excos to be returned. Their tenure has elapsed.

“In the case of ward excos, their tenure elapsed since July, 2025, local government excos elapsed in September 2025, while the state excos elapsed on February 8 this year. So, the lifespan of the entire excos has officially ended.”