The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has plunged into a more profound internal division following the conduct of parallel ward congresses by rival factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. The exercises, held across the state's 23 local government areas and 276 wards on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, resulted in each camp announcing separate sets of ward executives, solidifying a long-standing rift that now threatens the party's grassroots cohesion and preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
The faction aligned with the SGF, led by State Chairman Comrade Austin Agada, described their congress as a non-elective reaffirmation process. State Publicity Secretary Comrade Daniel-Morgan Ihomun stated that the exercise involved a vote of confidence by party faithful, allowing existing ward executives to continue for another four-year term in line with resolutions from the APC's National Executive Committee (NEC). Ihomun insisted the process was peaceful, compliant with national directives, and monitored appropriately, dismissing the rival exercise as invalid and lacking due process. "Yes, there was a parallel congress, but it does not hold water," he said, branding anyone claiming executive positions outside their reaffirmed structure as an impostor.
In contrast, the Governor Alia-led faction, under State Chairman Chief Benjamin Omale, conducted what it termed an elective congress through consensus arrangements. State Organising Secretary James Ornguga rejected claims of automatic reaffirmation, arguing that APC guidelines do not permit executives to extend tenure without fresh elections. He noted that ward executives' tenure expired in July 2025, local government executives in September 2025, and state executives on February 8, 2026, necessitating new leadership selections. Ornguga maintained that their process reflected the genuine will of party members statewide and was supervised by national committees dispatched from Abuja.
The emergence of dual structures at the ward level has created operational confusion, with both groups claiming legitimacy and control over party machinery in various communities. Political analysts warn that this fragmentation could complicate delegate selection for higher-level congresses, disrupt membership mobilization, and weaken the APC's electoral prospects in Benue ahead of 2027. Makurdi-based analyst Terna Ihom described the parallel congresses as solidifying the divide: "Each faction now controls its own machinery, and this could influence candidate selection and electoral outcomes for the 2027 elections. Reconciliation will require intervention at the national level."
The crisis traces back to early disagreements in Governor Alia's administration following his 2023 inauguration. Tensions arose over key appointments, including the SGF's alleged recommendation of Engr. Nick Wende for Secretary to the State Government, which Alia overruled by appointing Professor Joseph Alkali. The rift extended to influence in the State House of Assembly, where accusations of sidelining candidates led to the removal of Austin Agada from the party secretariat and the suspension of 13 lawmakers perceived as loyal to Akume. Court rulings reportedly favored the Akume faction in some disputes, but access to the secretariat remained contested, prompting the separate congress arrangements.
Recent developments have tilted dynamics further toward the governor's camp. The defection of former Governor Gabriel Suswam from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC has bolstered Alia's position, as Suswam is believed to have aligned with the governor after a fallout with Akume. This shift has added weight to the Alia faction's claims of growing support.
An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official, speaking anonymously, clarified that the commission monitors only congresses recognized by the APC's national leadership and does not arbitrate factional disputes. This leaves resolution to the party's National Working Committee (NWC), which holds authority to intervene, dissolve structures, or harmonize outcomes.
APC chieftain and 2023 Benue South senatorial candidate Comrade Dan Onjeh dismissed reports of parallel congresses as exaggerated or unsubstantiated. In statements reported by Vanguard and The Nation, Onjeh asserted there was only one valid structure under Chief Benjamin Omale, operating with NWC authority. He emphasized that governors serve as de facto party leaders at the state level nationwide, and the NWC can guide or dissolve structures to maintain unity. "There was no parallel congress anywhere in Benue," Onjeh said, urging focus on grassroots mobilization under recognized leadership and cautioning against media amplification of disputes without evidence.
However, conflicting narratives persist. In some wards, such as Ogbadibo, former lawmaker Alfred Apochi described a peaceful process producing new leadership, with outgoing officials participating in voting. This contrasts with the Akume camp's reaffirmation stance, highlighting localized variations in how the congresses unfolded.
The Benue APC crisis mirrors broader challenges within the party in states holding congresses, where factionalism has led to tensions in places like Ondo and Delta. Heavy security deployment during the exercises prevented major incidents, but the underlying power struggle between a sitting governor and a prominent national figure like the SGF underscores the high stakes of control over party structures.
As both camps dig in, national APC leaders face pressure to intervene swiftly—potentially through reconciliation committees, recognition of one faction, or fresh directives—to avert prolonged disarray. Without harmonization, the dual executives risk ongoing confusion among members, diluted campaign efforts, and vulnerability in future polls. The outcome will likely shape not only Benue's political landscape but also the APC's overall strength in the North Central zone ahead of 2027.
