The internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State remains unresolved despite recent reconciliation efforts, with party leaders warning that tensions within the party are intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, APC chieftain, Barrister Napoleon Otache said the political situation within the party remains deeply fractured despite interventions by President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“The political atmosphere in Benue State is hotter than the atmosphere in Iraq and Iran,” he said.
Otache dismissed reports suggesting that peace had returned to the Benue APC, insisting that no meaningful reconciliation had taken place between the factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and Senator George Akume.
“There has never been peace in Benue APC right from 2023 to date,” he stated.
According to him, the latest intervention by the Presidency only exposed deeper divisions within the party after conflicting accounts emerged from both camps following meetings with stakeholders.
“The SGF briefed the stakeholders… but the Governor also briefed the media with a contrary and conflicting report,” he said.
Otache argued that the prolonged dispute is not primarily about political power struggles but rather a failure of leadership and political management.
“The crisis… is largely by inexperience on the part of certain players,” he said.
He specifically criticised Governor Alia’s handling of party affairs, claiming the governor lacked prior political experience before emerging as governor.
“He has never contested even for a councillor,” Otache said.
According to him, the governor’s leadership style has worsened divisions within the party and weakened internal cohesion.
“As a leader… your heart must be as large as the Atlantic Ocean to accommodate diverse views,” he stated.
Otache also accused the governor of disregarding established party structures and ignoring court rulings relating to the APC’s internal organisation in the state.
“There was a valid court ruling… nullifying his action,” he said.
He further alleged that several reconciliation efforts initiated by party leaders and even the President had either failed or been ignored.
“The President directed… but the Governor also threw that away,” he claimed.
Otache warned that the unresolved divisions could have serious electoral consequences for the APC if urgent steps are not taken to mend the cracks before 2027.
“If the cracks are not mended before the 2027 election, the unimaginable may happen to the party,” he warned.
He also argued that governance in Benue State has suffered because of the political crisis, describing the administration’s performance as inadequate.
“Governance in Benue State is at the lowest ebb,” he said.
Despite repeated interventions from national party leaders, Otache maintained that the party remains deeply divided.
“The party is not together as we speak,” he added.
Otache concluded that unless urgent reconciliation efforts are undertaken within the Benue APC, the party risks deeper internal fragmentation and potential electoral setbacks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
By Ojo Triumph
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