Alia, Akume rift may jeopardise APC chances in 2027 polls — Forum

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has expressed concern that the ongoing rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, could jeopardise the party’s prospects in the 2027 polls.

Chaired by Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the forum, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, called on Akume to desist from attacking Governor Alia in the interest of the party.

Accusing Akume of using proxies, including faceless groups, to launch media attacks on Alia, the forum noted that Akume would be blamed if history repeats itself and Alia decides to leave the APC for another party, as his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, did.

Ortom, who was elected on the platform of the APC, eventually defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The forum stated that it decided to speak out on the situation in the Benue chapter of the party due to concerns expressed by its members as genuine, well-meaning stakeholders of the APC in the zone.

The forum also observed that Alia is performing well as Benue State governor and stressed that he should be allowed to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state without distractions.

Expressing concern over the reported attack on Governor Alia by thugs and security personnel attached to the SGF during the burial of the late elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, the North-Central APC Forum urged President Bola Tinubu to call Akume to order.

Speaking on the alleged attack, the forum reiterated the call made by the Secretary of the Benue APC Youth Wing, Apostle Thomas Ikyange, for Akume to resign from his position as the SGF and relocate to Benue State since he is deeply involved in local politics.

The forum, which had earlier accused the SGF of lopsided appointments, said it was unfortunate that Akume has refused to heed its call to carry the entire North-Central along and stand as the leader of the zone instead of favouring only his Tiv people of Benue State.

“It is unfortunate that the SGF, Senator George Akume, has failed to heed the advice of stakeholders who urged him to desist from lopsided appointments and carry the entire North-Central along. Instead of making the necessary adjustments, he has continued to concentrate all efforts on Benue State, trying to undermine the governor,” it noted.

“The North-Central APC Forum restates the call on the SGF to unite the party in the zone and carry the entire North-Central along. Senator Akume should desist from lopsided appointments and all other parochial inclinations, including interfering in the governance of Benue State.

“If Senator George Akume were focusing on his job as the SGF, he would not have the time to fight the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.”

The forum thereby threatened to mobilize massive protests across the zone to demand Akume’s removal as SGF if he does not stop attacking Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.