A coalition of civil society organisations and minority opposition parties in Benue State has threatened to organise a statewide protest over the lingering crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to urgently intervene in the dispute.

The coalition accused the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and some APC stalwarts of allegedly promoting parallel political structures aimed at undermining the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The group warned that the continued rivalry within the ruling party could deepen political divisions, threaten peace and security, and undermine governance in the state if urgent steps were not taken to address the situation.

Akume and Alia have been locked in a prolonged political dispute since 2023, largely revolving around the control of the APC’s state structure and competing claims to political leadership, with supporters of the two leaders divided into opposing camps.

Addressing a press conference at Top Rank Hotel, Utako, Abuja, the coalition alleged that Akume was spearheading a political alliance involving elements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), which it described as a “rainbow coalition” designed to weaken Alia’s political influence.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Richard Oduma, Joseph Uyeh, Jonah Ojobo and Dr. Agbo Madaki, the coalition urged Tinubu and the APC national leadership to intervene before the internal dispute escalated into a wider political confrontation.

According to the group, the alleged activities of some party stakeholders could have consequences beyond the APC’s internal affairs, particularly if they heightened political tension and weakened cooperation among political actors in the state.

The coalition said, “such activities could deepen political divisions, trigger insecurity and undermine President Tinubu’s electoral prospects in Benue State if not checked and tackled immediately.”

It expressed support for the position of the APC Governors’ Forum recognising serving governors as party leaders in their respective states, urging the national leadership to uphold the principle in resolving the dispute.

The group argued that political differences among party leaders should not be allowed to undermine the authority of an elected governor or destabilise the ruling party’s structure at the state level.

“We advise the SGF to remember that he is a statesman, not an opposition leader. As the highest-ranking member of the ruling party in the North Central zone and a former Governor of Benue State, senator and minister, his mandate is to build bridges, not destroy them,” the statement said.

The coalition also called on members of the National Assembly allegedly aligned with Akume to reconcile with Alia, stressing that cooperation among the party’s elected officials and influential stakeholders was necessary to strengthen governance and political stability.

It further appealed to the APC national leadership to caution Barrister Pius Akutah over his alleged involvement in anti-party activities, which the group claimed were directed at frustrating Alia’s second-term ambition.

The coalition maintained that the party’s internal disagreements should be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation rather than through the establishment of competing political structures or actions capable of deepening divisions among members.

“We will not sit idly by while personal egos and interests jeopardise the security and development of our people. The failure to act and put an end to these political confrontations could undermine governance and democratic stability in the state,” the statement added.

The group warned that it would mobilise residents for a statewide protest if the alleged activities continued, insisting that the peace, stability and political future of Benue State must take precedence over individual political interests.

It called on the President and the APC national leadership to take decisive steps towards reconciling the opposing camps, warning that prolonged factional disputes could distract political leaders from governance and development priorities.

The coalition reiterated that its proposed protest would be aimed at drawing attention to the crisis and pressing party leaders to address the grievances it raised, while urging all stakeholders to embrace dialogue in the interest of the state.

The allegations against Akume, Akutah and other political stakeholders remain claims made by the coalition. Responses from the individuals concerned and the APC leadership were not included in the statement provided.