2027: How Benue APC preparing to fight many battles

……Woos opposition politicians to Alia

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has many battles to fight ahead of his reelection bid in 2027, from major opposition political parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the newly reformed  Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and by extension, a faction within his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which have devised well-thought out strategies to outsmart  him.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly is still smarting from a shocking defeat at the 2023 governorship election in the State, is determined to kick Alia from the Government House come 2027.

But Alia is not resting on his oar and also putting his arsenal together to wage power against would be a stumbling block to his quest for leadership beyond 2027.

Already the governor has  become popular among the masses and leading stakeholders of his party at the state and national levels due to his outstanding  performance in office. 

Interestingly, just few days ago,  governor Alia and the state leadership of APC  put together, a befitting pre-decamping dinner at Government House, Makurdi, where members of different political parties attended. 

That event was organised to actually drawn his supporters closer and show appreciation to those who have agreed to strategically partner with him to drive his developmental blueprint to fruition.

The event drew prominent Benue sons and daughters who had indicated plans to formally join the ruling party in the coming days.

Furthermore, the dinner principally establish the fact that some politicians in the state want to  prove a point by showing interest publicly to join forces with him and work towards his reelection come 2027.

This is truly a case of calibration and recalibration, hence the movement of politicians from their parties into the APC in order to remain relevance and have power to bargain for positions and other juicy contract should Alia win.

This is evident in the calibre of people that graced the dinner. Initially, political heavyweights including former Governor Gabriel Suswam, Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West Senatorial District, House of Rep member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency Ojotu Ojema, former House of Reps member for Ado/ Okpkwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency Hon Francis Ottah Agbo, former NAFDAC DG Mr Paul Orhii, a staunch PDP member, former Special Adviser to Governor Suswam on Politics and a host of others.

However, the former Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam and the incumbent Senator Titus Zam were conspicuously absent. No further reason was given for their unavoidably absence. 

Those who attended the dinner came from across political divides including PDP, Labour Party, SDP, ADC among others. They used the occasion to formally affirm their stands and support for the Governor.

Throwing more lights on the essence of the dinner, the State APC organising secretary and acting publicity secretary of the party, James Ornguga, said that the dinner  was meant to welcome those who have indicated interest across different political parties to come and work with the governor to develop the State.

According to him, the pre-decamping dinner is a prelude to great things to happen to the state, saying APC is doing the  pre-decamping dinner for those people that want to join the party in the State to help the governor. 

“Some have told the governor they are going to realigned with him, not joining his own party but they will work with him and just for understanding. So, today the governor said come as my friends, let’s have a dinner and discuss a way forward for Benue State.

“That is the reason for the dinner. Watch and see, after that meeting, there are going to be series of decamping ceremonies that  will be holding in the State. So, the dinner is for those who will be leaving their parties to join the governor and then friends of the governor who have come to identify with him.

Corroborating this statement, the chief press secretary to governor, Tersoo Kula said the massive infrastructural projects been  carried out by his principal without resorting to loans, may have accounted for what attracted the opposition parties to the governor.

He stated that for those party leaders to have come to honour the governor, It then, demonstrates that the impacts his administration has made are visible and tangible enough to win the admiration of even his avowed critics.

He noted that the Governor used the occasion to consolidate his moral and political authority showing that he is not only spiritually grounded but also politically astute.    

Governor Alia who was visibly happy for the show of support witnessed during the event, describes it  as one of fellowship and dialogue, aimed at strengthening unity and sharing progress recorded across the state. He said his government is fighting for the soul of Benue, emphasizing that the collective efforts of all citizens are needed to sustain the ongoing transformation.

He noted that his administration’s recent decision to take a loan was to complete major infrastructural projects across the state while also offsetting debts inherited from past administrations.

Some of them who spoke during the dinner said they have decided to pitch tent with the governor and to remain with him for the overall development of the state. They further intimated that they are in a strategic partnership with the governor towards strengthening his quest for reelection both for himself and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.

For Ojoma Ojetu his decision to align with Governor Hyacinth Alia is born out of the desire to join forces to develop the state and bring his people closer to the government in power so as to be ble to confront the insecurity being experienced in his constituency.

Ojotu said “If you want to make headways at the national assembly in terms of sponsoring a bill or bills, you must belong to the ruling party and you have to be at home with your Governor and I have found it worthy to realign with my Governor.”

Ottah Agbo said since the present administration of Governor Lia came on board, he had the issue of wasting of state resources have ended in Benue and has channeled those resources to the welfare and development of Benue citizens.

“We are no longer owing salaries or pensioners Salaries are paid as at when due, there is ongoing massive infrastructural development across the three Senatorial zones of the state. These acts have endeared us to join forces with the governor to ensure that he wins his second tenure in 2027.

“The people of Benue South Senatorial District, we would rally support and we would vote e for Alia, Tinubu and any other all other candidates of the APC.. he said.

Also speaking, some members of the Benue State House of Assembly said they decided to identify with the Governor because, according to them, his administration has brought “light” to the state.

 Professors Steven Ugba and Eugene Aliegba lauded governor for facilitating  appointments for Benue indigenes at the federal level, describing him as the agent of real change, while the acting State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Benjamin Omale, could not hide his joy.

He said the mass movement into the party reflects the Governor’s outstanding achievements, assuring defectors of equal opportunities.

The member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo, Solomon Wombo, was the chairman of the central planning committee for the dinner. 

He noted that the dinner marks the beginning of a major political realignment in the state as more politicians prepare to join the APC in the coming days.

This assurance has further strengthened the belief of the Governor that he will coast to victory in 2027.

To further fortify his victory moves, Governor Hyacinth Alia has appointed his point men in all the 23 Local government areas of the state.

These point men are the reliable fellows of the Governor and have been appointed to galvanize mobilize and garner support for the Governor ahead of the elections.

While other people see the dinner as a strategy to seek for partnership by way  of drawing people to himself others saw it as mere exercise.

Now that the Governor has commence a successful strategy, its incumbent on him to ensure the sustainability of the exercise by continuing to do what will endear the people to him. 

Political pundits are also of the opinion that Governor Alia should heed the call on him by the President to make peace in the party as the state APC currently is factioned along two divides; the Alia supporters and those in the side of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Senator George Akume.

Furthermore, it was the expectation of the Benue public that after the visit of Mr President who insisted that Alia makes peace with the former Governor George Akume, the dinner would have been an avenue for such reconciliation to take place before the Benue populace. 

Mere mentioning of Akume on the list of those to attend the dinner would have sent a signal that peace is about to be achieved. 

However,  all hope is not lost. it is expected that subsequent dinners or for a that may be organized before the election should be tailored towards involving the SGF and reconciliation of both factions.

 This will pave the way for victory of the ruling party in the state and further enhance the over all development of the state.

In fairness, Governor Alia is doing well and doing his best to develop the state. Those  opposition politicians made no mistake in going to identify with him and reaffirming their commitment towards supporting him.