RismadarVoice Reporters, May 4, 2026
A peace and reconciliation meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State ended on Sunday with conflicting accounts of its resolutions, highlighting lingering divisions within the party.
The meeting, convened in Makurdi by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu to address the protracted crisis within the state chapter of the ruling party.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting held at the Government House, Akume said the gathering was aimed at restoring unity and inclusiveness, describing peace as its central objective.
He disclosed that one of the key outcomes was a proposal for automatic tickets for all elected APC officials, from the governor to members of the National and State Assemblies, ahead of future elections.
Akume also revealed that Governor Hyacinth Alia tendered an apology over the internal crises that have plagued the party.
“Where we went wrong, we want to get back and we want everybody to have a place; we want inclusiveness in this party,” Akume said, adding that the governor’s apology was a positive step toward reconciliation.
However, Governor Alia offered a different interpretation of the meeting’s outcome, rejecting claims that automatic tickets were agreed upon.
According to the governor, both President Tinubu and the APC national leadership have consistently maintained that there would be no automatic tickets for any candidate.
“The resolution is beyond both of us because APC has told us plainly… ” There is no automatic ticket,” Alia said, explaining that Akume’s position was merely an appeal rather than an official resolution.
He confirmed that he apologised during the meeting, describing the move as a deliberate effort to foster peace and unity within the party.
“For those who were aggrieved, I have to apologise on behalf of every member of APC. By doing that, it was deliberate as a responsible leader,” the governor stated.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of a long-standing power struggle between Akume and Alia over control of the party structure in Benue State. The rift has led to factionalisation, with parallel party executives emerging from ward to state levels in recent congresses.
Despite Sunday’s reconciliation effort, the differing narratives from key stakeholders suggest that the path to lasting unity within the Benue APC remains uncertain.
