Akume-Alia feud: How truce will shape 2027 polls

The meeting between Governor Hyacinth Alia and his political godfather, Senator George Akume, appears to have broken the ice in Benue State’s fractured political landscape, raising hopes of a lasting truce ahead of the 2027 elections. Political observers say if the peace deal holds, it could significantly reshape the state’s political outlook. With the APC […]

The meeting between Governor Hyacinth Alia and his political godfather, Senator George Akume, appears to have broken the ice in Benue State’s fractured political landscape, raising hopes of a lasting truce ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political observers say if the peace deal holds, it could significantly reshape the state’s political outlook. With the APC split down the middle following months of internal hostilities, the rapprochement may help Governor Alia to strengthen his grip on power and position himself more favourably for a return ticket in 2027.

Analysts also believe that beyond the politics, the reconciliation could open the door to a more united front in governance, potentially translating into better service delivery, improved security, and broader development outcomes for the state.

The rift between Alia and Akume, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), had long spilt over into party affairs and government institutions, including the state legislature and judiciary. It took the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his recent visit to the state, to push for peace after several other attempts to broker it failed to yield results.

During a town hall meeting in Makurdi, President Tinubu urged Governor Alia to close ranks with political leaders in the state, particularly past governors and other stakeholders, to restore unity and peace.

“The time has come to end this cycle of pain,” the president said, referring to the violent attacks on settlements in the state that have cost hundreds of lives. “We must convert our collective tragedy into a foundation for lasting prosperity,” the president added.

He proposed the setting up of a high-level committee of respected elders, including traditional rulers from the Tiv and Idoma nations, to spearhead reconciliation and community rebuilding.

A few days after the visit, pictures of a meeting between Akume and Alia surfaced online. The meeting was reportedly held at Akume’s Maitama residence in Abuja. Governor Alia, in a post on his official Facebook page, described the visit as “a warm and insightful interaction marked by mutual respect, unity, and deep reflection on both state and national issues.”

Around the same time, images of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Maurice Ikpambese—who had been a central figure in the Alia-Akume rift—visiting Governor Alia at Government House in Makurdi also went viral. The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, was also reportedly present at the meeting.

Reacting to the emerging signs of reconciliation, Alia’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, posted on social media that “in democracy, the fulfilment of the promises of peace, security, unity, and progress is what makes it an effective vehicle for nation-building. The leaders of the state have come to understand that the peace, unity, and progress of the state is the ultimate goal at this time for the people to be served honestly in a dedicated manner.”

 

How it began

The feud between the governor and his benefactor came to public attention shortly after Alia’s victory in the 2023 governorship election. Akume, who had played a crucial role in Alia’s emergence, was soon sidelined by the new administration, sparking discontent among the so-called APC “stakeholders.”

The early signs of division appeared during the election of leadership in the Benue State House of Assembly, where both men backed different candidates. The battle later shifted to the judiciary when the House, via a correspondence from Governor Alia, recommended the removal of Chief Judge Ikpambese over alleged misconduct.

Efforts by the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, to mediate between both camps in 2024 failed to yield results. The monarch’s appeals for peace were rebuffed, as both parties refused to shift ground.

The split became popularly known as a battle between the “masses” (Alia loyalists) and the “stakeholders” (aligned with Akume). The stakeholders accused Alia of unilateral decision-making, especially in key appointments, alleging they were not consulted before major decisions were taken.

Tensions escalated with the emergence of parallel party executives in the state. While the APC national leadership recognised Austin Agada as state chairman, Alia’s faction backed Benjamin Omakolo. Both factions traded accusations, with each side passing votes of no confidence on the other.

The crisis hit a flashpoint on March 1, 2024, when police and other security agents reportedly acting on Alia’s instructions prevented APC stakeholders from holding a meeting at the party secretariat in Makurdi. The disruption led to chaos, including a shootout that injured a young woman who was fixing her phone nearby.

The governor followed up with a ban on political gatherings across the state, citing security concerns. Stakeholders, however, claimed the ban was selectively enforced, as Alia’s loyalists and opposition parties continued to meet freely.

In the aftermath, the APC in the state operated two secretariats—one led by Agada and another by Omakolo. The party’s spokesperson, Daniel Ihomun, accused the governor of deploying thugs to prevent their meetings and mobilising hoodlums to blockade roads leading to their secretariat.

In response, Alia called for the arrest of Agada and another Akume loyalist, Mathias Byuan, accusing them of inciting violence and disturbing the peace. He described them as “merchants of crisis.”

Amidst the rancour, Akume’s faction accused the governor’s administration of financial recklessness, alleging the diversion of N44 billion by an appointee, Dennis Akura, and another N66 billion in public funds—claims Alia’s camp dismissed as politically motivated.

The APC national leadership later constituted a caretaker committee made up of loyalists from both camps to restore normalcy. However, the Akume faction rejected the move, describing the committee chaired by Benjamin Omale as illegitimate.

Ihomun, spokesperson for the Akume-aligned faction, maintained that a subsisting court order recognised the Agada-led executive as the only valid leadership of the party. He said neither the National Working Committee (NWC) nor the National Executive Committee (NEC) had the power to override the court decision.

“The NWC’s decision to install a caretaker committee led by Hon. Benjamin Omale was outside the bounds of due process,” Ihomun said, noting that a Benue High Court had affirmed the Agada-led executive as the authentic APC leadership in the state.

 

2027 calculations

As 2027 approaches, rumours swirled that Governor Alia might dump the APC. But through his spokesman, Alia denied any such plan, affirming his commitment to the ruling party.

“The governor has no plans to defect from the APC, especially as Benue State stands to benefit more under the party and the Tinubu-led presidency. He will continue to deliver good governance to the people of Benue State on the APC platform they elected him on,” Kula said.

Weighing in on the matter, political analyst Che Rex warned that if the divisions persist, smaller parties could capitalise on the APC’s internal crisis, posing a serious threat to Governor Alia’s re-election bid in 2027.

“The implication of this crisis is that if not resolved, the APC might not be able to field candidates in 2027,” Rex said. “Many people may leave both the APC and PDP to join the emerging coalition, further weakening the party’s chances.”

Another analyst, Alexander Adikwu, noted that the ongoing reconciliation—if genuine—could improve Alia’s chances of securing a second term.

“Except for this reconciliation we’re hearing about now, I don’t think Alia would get a return ticket in 2027,” Adikwu said. “The fortunes of the masses are dwindling, and a lot of it has to do with the governor’s handling of security issues in the state.”

With signs of reconciliation now emerging, analysts believe a sustained truce between Alia and Akume could reshape the state’s political future. A united APC would not only improve Alia’s chances of re-election but also ensure the party remains competitive in 2027.

However, many remain cautious, citing past attempts at peace that had crumbled under the weight of personal ambition, mutual suspicion, and unresolved grievances. Whether this latest truce will hold remains to be seen.