Benue APC Divided: Rival Camps Clash Over Party Structure

A deepening internal rift within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has erupted into open confrontation, as rival camps loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, conducted separate ward congresses across the state.

The parallel exercises have exposed growing factional tensions within the ruling party, with both sides laying claim to legitimacy.

The faction aligned with Akume maintained that there is only one duly recognised APC structure in Benue. Leaders of the group insisted that their ward congresses were conducted peacefully and in strict compliance with directives from the party’s national leadership. They further stated that the process was properly supervised and officially communicated to the APC national secretariat, dismissing allegations of division as politically driven narratives.

However, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun, confirmed that a separate exercise was organised by the Alia camp but declared it unconstitutional and lacking party backing.

According to Ihomun, the congress conducted by his faction amounted to a reaffirmation of existing ward executives for another four-year tenure through a vote of confidence. He warned that individuals presenting themselves as party executives outside the recognised structure should be treated as impostors.

Offering a contrasting view, former Ogbadibo lawmaker Alfred Apochi described the process in his ward as peaceful and orderly, noting that new leaders emerged without incident. He rejected claims of widespread grassroots discontent, arguing that the exercise reflected unity at the local level.

Despite attempts by both camps to minimise the scale of the crisis, the development signals a significant battle for control of the party’s structure in Benue State.

With political alignments shifting and tensions rising, observers believe the national leadership of the APC may be compelled to step in, either to reconcile the outcomes of the parallel congresses or formally recognise one faction to prevent further fragmentation ahead of future elections.