Akume loyalists reject inclusion in Alia’s campaign council

L-R: Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Governor of Benue State, Dr Hyacinth Alia. Credit: Nwakocha Stanley | X

The Austin Agada-led factional All Progressives Congress in Benue State has questioned the Governor Hyacinth Alia faction of the party over the inclusion of stakeholders and National Assembly candidates from its group in the campaign council.

The Alia faction, led by Benjamin Omale, had earlier released a list of members for the state campaign council.

Among those on the list were stakeholders and candidates of the state and national assemblies loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu, Chief Akange Audu, dissociated the group from the list.

Audu stated that since the party stakeholders worked tirelessly in 2023 to ensure Alia’s victory, they had been sidelined by the governor.

The statement read, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027 categorically dissociates itself from the said publication and disowns any claim or suggestion that the individuals mentioned therein are associated with, or constitute members of, the purported Alia campaign structure.

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“Since the APC secured victory in the 2023 general elections, the party’s established leadership and structures have, in practical terms, been sidelined by the Alia administration. This has contributed to the divisions and disagreements currently affecting the party in the state.

“The Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027 remains committed to its stated mandate of mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“Our political engagement also extends to supporting APC candidates for the National Assembly and the Benue State House of Assembly who emerge from the list and leadership direction recognised by our leader, Senator Dr George Akume.”

Audu said the coalition group remained concerned about the hardship experienced by Benue people under the Alia administration and concluded that the 2027 political process should provide an opportunity for constructive engagement on governance, accountability, party unity and the welfare of the people of the state.

Audu said that the alliance was an independent and clearly structured political mobilisation platform, stating that its identity, leadership and membership could not be appropriated, manipulated or misrepresented through unauthorised publications.

“We therefore urge APC state, local government, ward executives, stakeholders, members and the general public to disregard the purported list,” the statement read.