New twist in Benue politics as Gov Alia visits ex-PDP chair Ayu amid moves to dump APC

Hours after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the embattled Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has paid a suspicious visit to former PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who is a close ally of Atiku, raising speculation that he may be preparing to defect.

Dr. Ayu, who served as Director General of Atiku’s presidential campaign in 2007, has remained one of his strongest political allies during the 2019 and 2023 elections.

Atiku’s refusal to withdraw support for Ayu during the G-5 crisis in the buildup to the 2023 elections further confirmed their long-standing partnership.

According to reliable sources, Ayu is currently in Benue State to formally register as an ADC member.

It was also gathered that Governor Alia’s unexpected visit was aimed at exploring an alternative platform for his second-term bid due to his growing rift with key stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue, especially his political benefactor, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

The situation has seriously weakened the governor’s chances of securing the APC ticket next year, despite the presence of two factions in the Benue APC. President Bola Tinubu has recognised both factions, appointing Comrade Benjamin Omakolo from Alia’s camp and Comrade Austin Agada from the SGF’s camp as governing council chairmen.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has recently described both men as APC chairmen in Benue.

Governor Alia is said to have ignored President Tinubu’s directive to reconcile with party leaders when he visited Yelwatta after terrorist attacks that killed over 200 people.

He is also in open confrontation with the three senators from Benue, nine of the eleven House of Representatives members from the state, and more than half of the state House of Assembly.

Additionally, Governor Alia has refused to implement an earlier agreement to form an all-inclusive State Executive Council after dissolving the previous one.

The dissolution was meant to allocate some commissioner positions to the SGF and other major APC stakeholders.

Sources said he also failed to honour another peace agreement reached in Makurdi, which led to the removal of Speaker Aondona Dajoh and other principal officers.

He was expected to appoint loyalists of the SGF, including Hon. Becky Orpine from Gboko, either as the replacement for Dajoh or as Majority Leader.

These actions, according to insiders, have severely damaged the governor’s chances of returning as APC candidate.

A National Assembly member from Benue, who requested anonymity, said: “We knew pride would not allow the governor to honour these agreements. The SGF warned him.

Everything we feared has happened. He is now on his own. He keeps boasting about his popularity, but let us see how far it will take him.

He disrespects everyone, including the President. There are now two APC chairmen in Benue because of him. But let me be clear: he has no pathway to winning the primaries.

We will insist on delegate elections. There will be no direct primaries like last time.

He should start looking for another platform.”

He added that President Tinubu personally told Alia at the Presidential Villa to reconcile with the SGF and other lawmakers, but Alia refused.

The SGF’s wife reportedly confronted the governor during a dinner hosted by the Nasarawa State Governor, insisting she would not tolerate disrespect toward her husband.

The meeting between Alia and Ayu reportedly took place at Ayu’s residence on Nyesom Wike Road in Makurdi and lasted two and a half hours.

Three months ago, there were reports that former Benue Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, was trying to secure a place for Alia in the ADC as a backup plan. However, the ADC chapter in the state denied this, insisting the party was not a fallback option for anyone.

Meanwhile, APC stakeholders in Benue have reportedly settled on the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, and have begun full mobilisation ahead of 2027. Akutah’s popularity has grown across the state, and support groups loyal to the SGF have intensified consultations.

Akutah, who is from the Kwande axis, is said to be favoured based on experience, credibility and the Benue rotational governorship arrangement.

Findings also show that stakeholders agreed in 2023 that power should return to Kwande in 2027.

The recent demolition of President Tinubu’s campaign office in Makurdi and that of another APC leader loyal to the SGF is seen as a sign that the cold war in the party has escalated.

With tensions rising, many believe there may no longer be space for Governor Alia in the APC, making his search for a new political platform more urgent.

Join Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!