2027: ‘Replace Alia or lose Benue’ — APC chieftain warns party

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Dominic Alancha, has called on the party to replace Governor Hyacinth Alia as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, alleging that the governor lacks popularity and has performed poorly in office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Alancha warned that the APC risks losing Benue State if it fields Alia for a second term.

He dismissed claims that the governor enjoys widespread support because of his background as a Catholic priest, arguing that even religious leaders in the state are not united behind him.

“In Benue State today, four bishops in the state are not on the same page with Alia. It’s not about Alia being popular or not; the truth of the matter is that Alia has managed the party in a very bad way. The outcome of it is what would be reflected in 2027 if Alia is given that ticket.

> “What we are saying in Benue State is that if APC fields Governor Alia, the APC is going to lose. The reasons are not far-fetched from what is the reality in Benue State today. Even in terms of governance, Alia has not done well.

> “To Benue people, Alia is not doing anything given the huge amount of money he is getting through federal allocation amounting to ₦2 trillion,” Alancha said.

Despite his criticism of the governor, Alancha expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the presidential election, insisting that support for President Bola Tinubu in Benue remains strong.

“The presidential election is a different matter because we have everything going well for us in Benue State. APC members are campaigning for Mr. President. PDP, SDP and the Labour Party are all working for the President in the state,” he stated.

Alancha also accused Governor Alia of ignoring a directive allegedly issued by President Tinubu through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, directing the APC in Benue to grant automatic tickets to all serving members of the National Assembly.

According to him, the governor initially accepted the arrangement but later rejected it.

“Alia has not settled with Akume. I was in the meeting as a political appointee, and the agreement — which is a directive from Mr. President — Alia after the meeting threw it away, that all serving National Assembly members should be given automatic tickets, including the Governor.

“The Governor came out and apologised and the SGF asked us to forgive, but the Governor later said what the President said was mere wishes and prayers. That is the reason why during the primaries, he was in the Government House writing results. We have evidence,” he alleged.

Alancha urged the APC leadership to use the party’s internal appeal mechanism to field a different governorship candidate, insisting it is the only way for the party to retain power in Benue State.

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