And indeed, speed has led many into a storm of deception.
For the past year, Benue State has lived through a curious paradox — a theatre of political celebration founded not on substance, but on shifting illusions. On one side, a faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, H. E George Akume, led by Austin Agada, has claimed supremacy over the structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. On the other, the camp of Governor Hyacinth Alia — bolstered by the leadership of Benjamin Omale — has steadily consolidated power through action, recognition, and now, judicial affirmation.
At the heart of the crisis lies a calculated deception: the idea that the Agada-led faction remains the recognized executive of the party in Benue, allegedly enjoying the full backing of the National Secretariat. This claim has served as the backbone of many press briefings, social media campaigns, and euphoric pronouncements.
In August 2024, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC made a decisive move. It dissolved the Agada-led State Working Committee and appointed a seven-man caretaker committee chaired by Benjamin Omale. That action, executed with the authority of the national party, was clear, deliberate, and constitutionally valid according to it proponent.
In response, the Agada camp secured a court order to restrain the NWC. But it was a temporary reprieve — not a reinstatement. Since then, there has been no public statement from the APC National Chairman or the NWC reversing their decision. Yet, supporters of the Agada faction continued to spin optics and photo-ops in Abuja into “recognition,” turning silence into endorsement and handshakes into legitimacy.
The second wave of euphoria came in April 2025, when the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals awarded nine chairmanship seats to candidates from the Agada faction and fourteen to the Alia/Omale faction. The Agada camp erupted in celebration. Billboards were printed, press conferences held, and social media lit up with declarations of vindication.
Barely six weeks later, the Appeal Tribunal sitting in Abuja upturned the lower tribunal’s verdict. All 23 APC chairmen — candidates fielded by the Omale-led faction — were restored. The celebratory billboards came down. The silence that followed spoke louder than the earlier jubilation.
The events of the past year underscore a simple truth: in politics, structure is not what is said; it is what is recognized by law and enforced by institutions.
The Alia-led faction, through Omale’s chairmanship, has continued to operate as the de facto and de jure leadership of the party in Benue. From the submission of candidates for local elections, to control of the secretariat, to legal victories at appeal — all roads have pointed to the same conclusion.
The Agada faction, on the other hand, has relied heavily on nostalgia, court orders under challenge, and a public relations strategy rooted in symbolism rather than substance. And while they have every right to pursue legal and political redress, manufactured euphoria cannot replace institutional legitimacy.
This political theatre has not come cheap. The internal rift has cost the party goodwill at the grassroots, distraction from governance, and diluted the perception of unity within the Benue APC. It has confused loyal supporters and created openings for opposition parties to exploit.
Many now wonder: is this what Benue people voted for, a state locked in endless factional battles?
Governor Hyacinth Alia came into office on the wings of popular optimism. His slogan, “Alia the Better,” spoke of change, healing, and a new era. Ironically, his firm grip on the party has been interpreted by critics as divisive. But in reality, Alia’s insistence on reclaiming the party structure from patronage politics is perhaps his most radical act with some celebrating while antagonized by others.
Yes, he challenged the oligarchy that has been sustained in Benue politics and in doing so, has sparked a reckoning. However, agreement to work collectively in the interest of Benue people is the real definition of power and leadership and all parties as a testament of their power roote in the will of the people and leadership enshrined in the authority of the law should sacrifice their pride and ego to uphold the oath swore and the promises made.
The lesson from the Benue APC crisis is clear: Speed in the wrong direction leads to a crash, not a destination. The euphoria of political deception may bring temporary applause, but the applause fades when reality arrives.
With 2027 fast approaching, it is time for the Benue APC to unify, reform, and face the truth. There is no future in parallel structures, no honour in misleading the faithful, and no victory in deceiving the public.
The choice is now between continued illusion or constructive reconciliation and the dawn has come for peace and unity front against the common enemies of Benue State. The shadows of deception must now give way to the light of truth — in the interest of the party, and in service to the people. Indeed, a time to rise above personal interests and petty politics, a time to put Benue first dawn on us.
No doubt, Senator Akume is a veteran politician and respected national figure, has been instrumental in establishing the APC’s presence and structure in Benue. His years of experience and service at both state and federal levels are assets that should be guiding lights.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, on the other hand, came into office riding on a wave of grassroots support, hope, and a promise of a new era. His emergence represented a shift in political thinking and the yearning of the people for a more pragmatic, people-oriented leadership.
Both men are pillars in their own right. But pillars, when misaligned, can lead to the collapse of the very structure they are meant to support.
The current discord is not just a political rivalry—it is a risk to the stability and development of Benue State. It sends the wrong message to the people; that personal ambitions are more important than service; that party loyalty can be sacrificed at the altar of ego.
We must remember that the APC in Benue is not the possession of any one individual. It belongs to the members, the supporters, and most importantly, to the people of Benue whose hopes rest on its shoulders. When leaders quarrel, the people suffer. When factions dig in, progress stalls. And when unity is lost, the opposition gains ground.
Therefore, this is an earnest call for reconciliation. Let there be a roundtable. Let both factions bury their differences, or at the very least, set them aside in favor of the greater good. Let dialogue replace diatribe. Let collaboration replace confrontation. Let the party structures at the national level intervene, not to pick sides, but to build bridges.
Benue needs peace. The APC needs unity. The people need governance, not political warfare.
If the Akume and Alia factions can come together and work for the collective interest, the APC will not only survive—it will thrive. And more importantly, Benue will prosper.
Now is the time to act. Not tomorrow, not after another round of political maneuvering.
Peace is not a sign of weakness; it is the strength of those who place service above self.Let peace reign in the APC. Let peace reign in Benue.
Onwe Wisdom, a political awareness expert, social crusader and media-entrepreneur writes from Ado, Benue State.
eilceodesk@gmail.com
25/06/2025
