By Iroyin Yoruba Television
The political crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has intensified following fresh reports that allies of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, have opened discussions with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa, over the state's political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development, reported by BusinessDay on October 9, 2026, comes amid continuing disagreements between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Akume over party leadership, political succession and the distribution of influence within the ruling party.
According to the report, attempts by President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to reconcile the two camps have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
Sources described as close to Akume's camp reportedly confirmed that discussions had taken place with Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The reported talks have raised the possibility of a significant political realignment in Benue ahead of the 2027 governorship election. However, the discussions should not be interpreted as a completed alliance or a formal declaration that Akume's camp has endorsed the PDP candidate.
The report indicates that negotiations remain ongoing and that another agreement within the APC could still be possible if reconciliation efforts produce an acceptable outcome.
Governor Alia, meanwhile, has maintained that Benue voters will determine the state's political leadership through their choices at the ballot box.
The unfolding situation highlights the challenges facing the APC as it attempts to manage internal disagreements while preparing for another electoral cycle.
DISAGREEMENTS OVER PARTY CONTROL AND POLITICAL SUCCESSION
The disagreement between Alia and Akume has become a significant issue within the Benue APC.
Akume played an important role in Alia's emergence as the party's governorship candidate ahead of the 2023 election. However, their relationship subsequently deteriorated over disagreements concerning political influence, control of the party structure and succession arrangements.
According to BusinessDay, the latest round of tension has centred partly on automatic tickets for incumbent elected officeholders and disagreements about the political arrangements governing the party ahead of 2027.
Automatic tickets are a recurring subject of debate within Nigerian political parties, particularly when incumbent officeholders seek to retain their positions.
Party leaders may disagree over whether sitting lawmakers and other elected officials should receive preferential treatment or face fresh competition during primaries.
Such disagreements can become more complicated when they involve influential political figures with competing interests in the selection of candidates.
In Benue, the reported dispute has raised questions about whether the party can maintain unity before the next governorship election.
The APC's ability to reconcile its internal factions may influence how it selects candidates, mobilises supporters and coordinates its campaign across the state.
Nevertheless, internal disagreement does not automatically mean that a party will lose an election. The outcome will depend on several factors, including the candidates presented, voter preferences, campaign organisation and the performance of the parties involved.
The immediate challenge for the APC is to prevent the dispute from undermining its ability to operate as a united political organisation.
AKUME'S CAMP REPORTEDLY EXPLORES AN ALTERNATIVE
The most significant new development in the latest report is the claim that people close to Akume have held discussions with Aondoakaa about the 2027 governorship contest.
A source cited by BusinessDay reportedly confirmed that meetings had taken place and suggested that the discussions were intended to explore an alternative political arrangement after reconciliation efforts failed to resolve the disagreement.
The source praised Aondoakaa's experience and described him as a potential candidate capable of leading Benue State.
Another source reportedly confirmed the contacts but stressed that discussions were still ongoing.
These accounts suggest that some individuals associated with Akume may be considering options beyond the existing APC arrangement.
However, the distinction between informal consultations and a formal political alliance remains important.
Political figures frequently hold discussions with people from other parties as they consider possible electoral arrangements. Such meetings do not necessarily result in an agreement to campaign together, transfer party membership or endorse a particular candidate.
Any eventual decision would depend on the positions taken by the individuals involved and the political organisations concerned.
The report does not establish that Akume himself has formally endorsed Aondoakaa or announced a decision to leave the APC.
It also does not confirm that the PDP has reached a formal agreement with Akume's political camp.
Until the parties involved make official announcements, the reported discussions should be treated as an indication of possible political realignment rather than a completed arrangement.
Even so, the development could increase pressure on the APC's leadership to resolve the dispute before the 2027 election campaign gathers momentum.
TINUBU'S RECONCILIATION EFFORTS FACE A TEST
President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee have reportedly made efforts to reconcile Alia and Akume.
The interventions followed growing tension between the two political camps and the risk that the disagreement could weaken the party's position in Benue.
Akume had previously indicated during reconciliation discussions in Makurdi that Tinubu wanted Alia to return for a second term and had urged party members to support the governor.
However, according to BusinessDay, that intervention has not produced a lasting settlement.
The continuing disagreement demonstrates the difficulties party leaders can face when attempting to reconcile political figures whose interests extend beyond a single electoral contest.
A successful agreement may require decisions about party leadership, candidate selection, the interests of incumbent officeholders and the roles influential figures will play in the next election.
If the parties cannot agree on those issues, individual political camps may begin exploring alternatives.
For the APC, a prolonged dispute could complicate preparations for the governorship election and other contests in the state.
The party's national leadership must also consider the broader implications of internal divisions. A disagreement that remains unresolved in one state can affect campaign coordination and create opportunities for opposition parties to attract dissatisfied politicians.
However, the outcome is not predetermined.
Further negotiations could still produce a compromise, and the reported discussions between Akume's allies and Aondoakaa may remain exploratory.
The central question is whether the APC can reach an agreement acceptable to the competing interests before the election process advances further.
FORMER GOVERNORS TAKE DIFFERENT POSITIONS
The political disagreement has also exposed differences among former governors of Benue State.
According to BusinessDay, former governor Samuel Ortom has aligned himself with Akume's camp and criticised Alia's administration.
Ortom reportedly argued that the governor should not return for another term, expressing dissatisfaction with the administration's performance.
His comments add another influential voice to the group opposing Alia's second-term ambition.
Former governors can retain political influence after leaving office through their relationships with party leaders, elected officials, community organisations and supporters.
Their public positions may affect discussions within political parties, although their influence does not necessarily determine how voters will respond at the ballot box.
Another former governor, Gabriel Suswam, has taken a different position.
Suswam has defended Alia's bid for a second term, arguing that the governor should have an opportunity to continue his administration's programmes.
He cited previous political precedents in Benue, where governors sought or obtained second terms.
The contrasting positions of Ortom and Suswam illustrate the divisions among influential political figures in the state.
Rather than presenting a united front, former governors are now expressing different views about Alia's political future.
That division may complicate efforts to establish a consensus within the APC and among political stakeholders in Benue.
Nevertheless, public endorsements and criticisms from former governors remain political arguments rather than definitive assessments of the electorate's preferences.
The ultimate decision will be made through the applicable electoral process.
ALIA SAYS VOTERS WILL DETERMINE HIS FUTURE
Governor Alia has maintained that his political future will be determined by Benue voters rather than by Akume or any other individual political figure.
In a statement attributed to his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor argued that performance and the credibility of candidates would shape the outcome of the 2027 elections.
The statement rejected the idea that a single political leader could determine who should govern the state.
Alia's position places the emphasis on electoral choice and the relationship between political leadership and voters.
However, a candidate's ability to secure a second term also depends on party organisation, nomination procedures and the ability to mobilise support during an election campaign.
For an incumbent governor, the primary process can be particularly important because disagreements within the ruling party may affect the level of support available during the general election.
If the APC fails to resolve its internal differences, Alia could face opposition from dissatisfied party members as well as candidates from other political organisations.
Conversely, a successful reconciliation could help the party coordinate its political structures and present a more unified campaign.
The governor's statement makes clear that he intends to rely on his record and electoral support rather than accept that his future can be settled solely through negotiations among political leaders.
Whether that position translates into a successful second-term bid will depend on developments within the APC and the wider political environment in Benue.
WHAT THE DEVELOPMENTS MEAN FOR THE PDP
The reported discussions also create a potential opportunity for the PDP.
Aondoakaa, the party's governorship candidate, could benefit politically if influential figures dissatisfied with the APC's internal arrangements decide to support his campaign.
Such support could provide access to political networks and help the opposition strengthen its organisation ahead of the election.
However, attracting support from a rival party does not automatically guarantee electoral success.
Any political realignment would need to be supported by practical decisions concerning campaign coordination, party structures and the interests of those involved.
The PDP would also need to maintain its own internal organisation and communicate a clear programme to voters.
The report does not establish that the PDP has formally accepted an alliance with Akume's camp or that a final agreement has been reached.
It would therefore be premature to describe Aondoakaa as having secured the backing of Akume or the entire political network associated with the SGF.
What the report indicates is that discussions have reportedly begun, creating the possibility of further changes in the state's political landscape.
If those talks progress, they could become an important factor in the preparations for the 2027 election.
If reconciliation efforts within the APC succeed, however, the reported discussions may not result in a lasting realignment.
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
The latest developments arrive as political parties and their leading figures prepare for the 2027 general elections.
In Benue, the governorship contest is shaping up against a background of disagreements over party control, candidate selection and the future direction of the ruling party.
A divided APC could face difficulties coordinating its campaign, particularly if influential members decide to support different candidates.
Internal disputes may also affect how party supporters respond to the eventual nomination process.
At the same time, opposition parties will need to demonstrate that they can organise effectively and offer voters credible alternatives.
The reported discussions between Akume's camp and Aondoakaa suggest that political actors are already considering possible arrangements beyond the current party boundaries.
Nevertheless, the situation remains fluid, and the final configuration of alliances may change as negotiations continue.
The important distinction is between the political calculations being discussed now and the formal decisions that will determine the candidates and alliances participating in the election.
Voters will ultimately assess the candidates, their programmes, their records and their capacity to address the needs of Benue State.
Issues such as security, agriculture, public services, infrastructure, employment and economic opportunities are likely to remain important considerations for residents.
The internal dispute within the APC may influence the election, but it will not be the only factor shaping voter decisions.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The immediate priority for the APC is to determine whether another reconciliation effort can resolve the disagreement between Alia and Akume.
The party's national leadership may face pressure to clarify its position on the governor's second-term ambition, candidate selection and the distribution of political responsibilities within the state.
At the same time, the reported contacts between Akume's allies and Aondoakaa could continue, although the parties involved have not announced a completed agreement in the report.
Further statements from the APC leadership, the governor, Akume's camp or the PDP may help clarify whether the discussions are likely to produce a formal political arrangement.
For now, the situation remains unresolved.
The reported talks are significant because they indicate that at least some political actors associated with the APC's internal dispute may be considering alternatives if reconciliation fails.
However, the allegations and political claims made by individuals on different sides should be distinguished from confirmed formal decisions.
The governor maintains that Benue voters will determine his political future, while supporters and critics continue to debate whether he should receive another term.
The next phase of the dispute will show whether the ruling party can restore unity or whether the divisions lead to a broader realignment ahead of the 2027 election.
Iroyin Yoruba Television will continue to monitor developments within Benue's political parties and report confirmed decisions that could influence the state's 2027 governorship contest.