Benue Governor Alia Warns Wike: “Benue Is Not Rivers, I Am Not Fubara”

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has fired a direct warning at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declaring that Benue is not Rivers State and that he is not Governor Siminalayi Fubara, amid reports of an alleged political coalition seeking to influence the state’s 2027 governorship race.

Alia’s position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James Asortar, titled “Wike: Benue Is Not Rivers State and Governor Alia Is Not Fubara”.

The warning followed reports of an alleged “Rainbow Coalition” involving Wike, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, and former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom, ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Benue is not a political commodity, and its governorship is not for settlement in private political negotiations,” Alia said.

The governor challenged those linked to the coalition to come out openly to explain its objectives.

“If the reported coalition is merely a political alliance, its proponents should explain its objectives openly. If it involves any arrangement intended to influence Benue’s governorship, the people deserve transparency,” the statement said.

Alia stressed that every state has its own political realities and democratic mandate, and no political heavyweight, no matter how powerful, should assume Benue’s leadership can be decided in private rooms. He maintained that neither a governor, minister, former governor nor political party owns Benue votes, and the electorate must be allowed to decide in 2027.

The statement drew a clear distinction between the political situation in Benue and the crisis that has shaped relations between Wike and Rivers State Governor Fubara, which has resulted in prolonged tensions over party structures and control of the state’s political machinery.

Alia’s aide also defended the governor’s performance since assuming office, citing the rehabilitation of over 550 kilometres of roads and construction of more than 420 kilometres of new roads as of July 2026.

He said the administration had cleared inherited salary arrears and provided 150 Hilux vehicles and over 600 motorcycles to security agencies.

He however acknowledged that insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and the plight of displaced communities remained major challenges.

The statement called on the All Progressives Congress and other parties to uphold internal democracy, insisting that the 2027 contest should focus on security, infrastructure, jobs, education, healthcare and agriculture rather than personal battles for control.

“The people of Benue have the constitutional right to determine their political future. Their decision must not be predetermined by political negotiations, external influence or the ambitions of powerful individuals,” Alia said.