The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State is confronting one of its most serious internal crises after parallel ward congresses were held by factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

The exercises, conducted across the state’s 23 local government areas, produced separate sets of ward executives, intensifying divisions that could threaten the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

The SGF-aligned faction, led by Comrade Austin Agada, claimed that existing ward executives were reaffirmed for another four-year term.

State Publicity Secretary Daniel Ihomun described the congresses as peaceful and conducted according to directives from the APC national secretariat.

Meanwhile, the governor-aligned faction under Benjamin Omale said new ward executives emerged through a consensus-based election process.

State Organising Secretary of the Alia-led faction, James Ornguga, rejected claims of automatic reaffirmation, noting that party rules do not allow incumbents to continue without fresh elections. He explained that ward executives’ tenure ended in July 2025, local government executives’ tenure ended in September 2025, and state executives’ tenure concluded on February 8, 2026. Ornguga described the process as legitimate, transparent, and reflective of the will of party members across the state.

Both factions insist their processes complied with APC guidelines, leaving the state chapter operating under dual structures at the grassroots level.

Political analysts warn that the parallel exercises could create confusion among members, complicate delegate selection, and weaken grassroots mobilization.

Political commentator Terna Ihom in Makurdi said: “The completion of these parallel ward congresses solidifies the divide in Benue APC. Each faction now controls its own machinery, which could influence candidate selection and electoral outcomes for the 2027 elections. Reconciliation will require intervention at the national level.”

The crisis traces back to disagreements over key appointments early in Governor Alia’s administration. Reports indicate that SGF Akume recommended Engr. Nick Wende for Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but the governor appointed Professor Joseph Alkali instead. Tensions further escalated over leadership in the State House of Assembly, with preferred nominees allegedly sidelined in favor of candidates backed by the governor.

The feud intensified following the removal of Comrade Austin Agada from the party secretariat, the suspension of 13 lawmakers aligned with Akume, and restrictions on political activities in the state. Two favorable court rulings for the SGF faction did not restore access to the secretariat, forcing the faction to conduct its congresses separately.

Governor Alia’s political camp recently gained momentum following the defection of former Governor Gabriel Suswam to the APC, who is now seen as a political patron supporting the governor. While the Alia faction claimed oversight by national committees from Abuja, the SGF-aligned camp insisted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored proceedings. An INEC official clarified that the commission only monitors official committees recognized by the party’s national secretariat and does not intervene in internal factional disputes.

Speaking on the outcome, 2023 senatorial candidate Dan Onjeh stated that there were no parallel congresses as reported. He added that the Agada-led faction ceased to exist in 2025. “At present, the APC chairman in Benue State, Chief Benjamin Omale, oversees party activities under the constitutional authority of the National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC has the power to intervene and dissolve party structures when necessary, ensuring internal disputes do not undermine the party’s functioning. Party issues are sometimes exaggerated by media reports. When the NWC provides guidance or directives, ambiguity is removed, and claims of parallel leadership or factional disputes should be substantiated,” he said.

Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun, Publicity Secretary of the APC in Benue State, admitted that although the Alia-led faction held a parallel congress, it is null and void. “Yes, there was a parallel congress, but it does not hold water. What we did was reaffirm ward executives for another four-year tenure through a vote of confidence. Anyone claiming to be part of the party executive committee outside the reaffirmed members is an impostor,” he said.

Alfred Apochi, former lawmaker from Ogbadibo, confirmed that elections in Ehaje Ward II were conducted peacefully, with Onoja Agada emerging as ward chairman. “The outgoing chairman, Tony Okpe, stood in line to vote for the new chairman. There was no faction in my ward,” he said.

With both factions now entrenched and Suswam’s involvement strengthening the governor’s camp, the APC in Benue faces a critical test of internal cohesion. National leadership is expected to intervene to harmonize outcomes or recognize one structure officially. For now, the party remains a house divided, with dual ward structures, competing claims of legitimacy, and no immediate resolution in sight.