Efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve its internal leadership crisis in Benue State have stalled after rival factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, failed to reach an agreement.
The reconciliation initiative was organised to address prolonged disagreements within the party and establish a more unified structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, a meeting convened by the APC’s national leadership reportedly ended without a breakthrough, leaving the rival camps divided over who should control the party’s state structure.
According to a report published by BusinessDay on Monday, October 26, the disagreement centres on competing claims to the state party chairmanship and the wider question of political influence within the Benue APC.
The dispute has created uncertainty about the party’s ability to coordinate its activities, manage internal disagreements and prepare effectively for the next general elections.
Although both camps have expressed support for reconciliation in principle, their positions on the leadership dispute remain far apart.
Disagreement Over State Party Leadership
At the centre of the crisis is a disagreement over the legitimate leadership of the APC in Benue State.
The faction aligned with Governor Alia recognises Benjamin Omale as the state party chairman. The camp associated with Akume maintains that Austin Agada remains the legitimate chairman.
The disagreement has contributed to the existence of parallel party structures in Makurdi, with both sides maintaining competing claims to authority.
The dispute has also been accompanied by suspensions, counter-suspensions and competing statements from party officials.
These developments have made it difficult for the state chapter to present a unified position on organisational matters.
The national reconciliation initiative was intended to bring the factions together and establish a workable arrangement. However, BusinessDay reported that the discussions failed to produce an agreement because neither side was prepared to abandon its position on the chairmanship issue.
The disagreement is not simply about the title of party chairman. It also concerns control of the party’s organisational structures, the influence of key political figures and the arrangements that will shape preparations for the 2027 elections.
Alia and Akume Camps Maintain Different Positions
Representatives of the rival camps have offered differing explanations for the failure to resolve the dispute.
Benedict Yawe, the publicity secretary of the Benjamin Omale-led faction, said his camp remained committed to reconciliation and believed the party needed unity to improve its prospects.
He maintained that reconciliation should be guided by the party’s constitution, established structures and democratic principles.
Yawe also said the faction was willing to engage with other stakeholders but argued that any settlement must take account of what his camp considers legitimate party leadership and grassroots support.
The Austin Agada-led faction, however, has accused Governor Alia of failing to build sufficient bridges with influential party stakeholders.
Its publicity secretary, Morgan Ihomun, argued that meaningful reconciliation required mutual respect, recognition of legitimate party structures and a willingness to accommodate differing interests.
The competing statements illustrate the depth of the disagreement and the difficulty facing the party’s national leadership as it attempts to negotiate a settlement.
Neither camp has publicly announced an agreement that would resolve the competing claims to the chairmanship.
National Leadership Faces Pressure to Intervene
The failure of the latest reconciliation effort places additional pressure on the APC’s national leadership to find a lasting solution.
The party has an interest in resolving internal disputes before the next election cycle intensifies. Persistent divisions can complicate candidate selection, grassroots mobilisation and coordination between state and national party officials.
A divided state chapter may also struggle to organise joint political activities and maintain consistent communication with members and supporters.
BusinessDay reported that the national leadership could consider further intervention if the rival camps remain unable to reach an agreement. Possible options discussed in the report include imposing a political settlement or establishing a caretaker arrangement.
However, no final decision on such a measure had been confirmed in the report published on October 26.
Any intervention would need to address the competing leadership claims while maintaining the confidence of party members and stakeholders.
A settlement that fails to secure broad acceptance could risk prolonging the dispute rather than resolving it.
Implications for the 2027 General Elections
The crisis comes at a significant time for the APC as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
Benue is an important state in Nigeria’s North-Central region, and the ruling party will need effective organisation to coordinate its political activities across the state.
If the disagreement continues, it could affect the party’s ability to manage nominations, mobilise supporters and present a unified political message.
Rival factions may also find it more difficult to agree on strategic decisions involving local party structures and relationships with elected officials.
Opposition parties could attempt to benefit politically from the divisions, although the extent of any electoral impact will depend on voter preferences, candidate choices and developments closer to the elections.
Internal party disputes do not automatically determine electoral outcomes. Nevertheless, prolonged leadership disagreements can consume resources and attention that might otherwise be directed towards campaigning and policy engagement.
The APC’s ability to resolve the crisis will therefore be an important factor in its preparations for the forthcoming polls.
Party Unity and Grassroots Organisation
Political parties depend on functional local structures to communicate with supporters, organise meetings and implement decisions taken by their leadership.
In Benue, the existence of competing party secretariats and rival claims to authority risks creating confusion among members about which officials are responsible for particular decisions.
Such uncertainty can affect the coordination of party activities and weaken confidence in internal processes.
The dispute also highlights the challenges political parties face when disagreements between prominent leaders extend into the organisation’s formal structures.
A lasting resolution would require more than a temporary ceasefire between the factions. It would need an arrangement that clarifies leadership responsibilities, establishes accepted procedures and gives members confidence that future disagreements can be handled through the party’s rules.
The rival camps have both made public statements about the importance of reconciliation, suggesting that dialogue remains possible. The key question is whether their leaders can agree on the practical steps required to end the stalemate.
What Happens Next?
As of October 26, the Benue APC crisis remained unresolved, with both factions continuing to defend their respective positions.
The party’s national leadership faces the challenge of balancing competing interests while preventing the dispute from becoming a larger obstacle to preparations for the 2027 elections.
Further negotiations could provide an opportunity for the factions to agree on a common leadership arrangement. Alternatively, the national leadership may consider additional organisational measures if reconciliation continues to fail.
Any subsequent action will be important in determining whether the Benue chapter can restore unity and establish a more stable structure.
For now, the collapse of the latest peace talks underscores the depth of the disagreement between the Alia and Akume camps.
The coming weeks will show whether the APC can resolve its internal leadership dispute or whether the divisions will continue to shape the party’s political activities in Benue State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
