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A fresh crisis appears to be unfolding within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, as the fragile reconciliation between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, shows signs of weakening.

Despite a high-level peace meeting held on Sunday, underlying disagreements remain unresolved, particularly over the controversial issue of automatic tickets for elected officials ahead of the next election cycle.

The rift between Alia and Akume dates back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, when both leaders disagreed over control of the party structure and political appointments in the state.

What began as a subtle disagreement soon escalated into a full-scale intra-party conflict, dividing the APC in Benue into two opposing factions.

One faction, led by Austin Agada, remained aligned with Akume, while another group, under the leadership of then-state chairman Ben Omakolo, supported Governor Alia.

Tensions escalated significantly in March 2026 when both factions conducted parallel congresses, each producing separate sets of party executives.

The Alia-backed faction maintained that its congress followed due process and reflected the will of party members. However, the Akume-aligned group rejected the process and organised a separate congress, further deepening the leadership crisis.

In a decisive intervention, the national leadership of the APC later recognised the congress conducted by the Alia faction, which produced Ben Omale as chairman, effectively sidelining Agada and weakening Akume’s influence within the party structure in the state.

Concerned about the potential impact of the lingering crisis on the party’s electoral chances, President Bola Tinubu stepped in, urging both leaders to reconcile and work together ahead of future elections.

Sunday’s meeting was viewed as a move toward unity. However, rather than resolving differences, it exposed new areas of disagreement.

At the centre of the renewed tension is a proposal by Akume advocating for automatic tickets for Governor Alia and other elected APC officials in the state, including members of the National and State Assemblies.

Sources familiar with the meeting informed ZINGTIE that while Akume argued that automatic tickets would promote continuity and reward loyalty, the proposal was firmly rejected by the governor.

Alia reportedly insisted that all aspirants must undergo a transparent primary process, warning that any attempt to impose candidates could trigger another internal crisis.

According to an insider: “While he agreed on other terms, the issue of automatic tickets was outrightly turned down. He is not ready to gamble with the structure of the party. He also does not want a situation where members of the National Assembly loyal to Akume return unchallenged.”

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Alia made his stance unequivocally clear, rejecting the concept of automatic tickets.

He said: “Because the APC has made it very clear, Mr. President has stated this several times and the National Chairman of the APC also emphasized at the time that there is no automatic ticket.

“I believe this is merely a request, not a resolution. It is a prayer directed to the people of the state, urging them to reflect deeply and consider how they can support those currently serving.

“This is not an official position of either the national party or the federal government. As I understand it, this was a reconciliatory meeting. He has the right to make such appeals and offer prayers. It is essentially an appeal to the entire citizenry to see whether they can bring these individuals back. However, I think that approach is misguided.”

With competing interests, unresolved grievances, and the struggle for control still present beneath the surface, the party may be heading toward another round of internal conflict as preparations for the 2027 election cycle intensify.

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