Ahead of the 2027 general election, a group, Concerned Benue APC Stakeholders have declared support for the re-election of Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Tinubu in 2027, saying party supremacy must be respected.
The Convener of the group, Dr. Dominic Alancha and Spokesman of the Strategic Alliance Group, while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja decried anti-party activities, indiscipline and disunity within the Benue State chapter of the party.
Alancha admitted that he had previously led conversations against Alia’s re-election bid, but said when he was doing that, he was suffering from “a political glaucoma which has been operated upon and I can see clearly now.”
He noted that it was unfaithful to remain silent while developments within the Benue APC threaten the unity, stability and electoral prospects of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Alancha maintained that the APC belongs to all members and is bigger than any leader, aspirant or political group, warning that the party must not be held hostage by personal ambition.
He added: “As a spokesman for the Strategic Alliance Group before now I have led conversations against Governor Hyacinth Alia re-election bid in our state based on convenient interest and other factors, but we have come to change our way because the party is supreme and as a loyal party man the bigger party interest must be respected.
“We are aware of the activities of some members of the party who are stakeholders in their own right, people who are associated with the Benue Strategic Alliance for activities which, if allowed to continue, could undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election vote in Benue State and Nigeria at large.”
Alancha declared that anti-party activities would no longer be tolerated, stressing that personal disagreements with Alia should be channeled through legitimate organs of the party and not turned into a campaign against the APC itself.
“You cannot destroy the house simply because you are unhappy with the person occupying one room in that house. That is not loyalty. That is not party politics.”
The convener said Alia is not a private individual but the elected Governor of the state on the APC platform who has distinguished himself in governance, adding that any activity designed to weaken his administration puts the political future of the APC in Benue at risk.
According to him, Our position as stakeholders is that the Alia led administration’s achievements in governance provide a strong basis for the governor and Tinubu to seek another mandate in 2027.
Alancha noted that the group would mobilise across all local governments, wards and communities in the state for the re-election of Governor Alia and President Tinubu.
He, therefore, called on members of the Benue Strategic Alliance and other groups operating outside the recognized party structure to return to the party and present their grievances to appropriate organs at the federal or state level.
Alancha added: “There is still time for reconciliation, time to mend fences and uphold the supremacy of the party because the party is indeed supreme,” he said, warning that those who choose anti-party activities must be prepared to face the consequences as enshrined in the APC constitution.
“Nobody should expect immunity because of his or her position, history or influence as the constitution of the party treats everyone equal. The APC is not a crowd. The APC is an organised political party governed by rules.”
He appealed to elders and stakeholders in Benue to rise above personal interest and not allow factional politics to hand advantage to opponents, adding that the big question should be whether the APC will remain strong enough to win in 2027.
Alancha added: ” Let us close ranks. The 2027 election is approaching. The time for internal distractions is over. The time for unity is now.
“Our message is therefore simple: No individual is bigger than the APC. No faction is bigger than the APC. No personal ambition is bigger than the APC. The party must come first.”