The peace initiative launched by the All Progressives Congress (APC), to resolve internal disputes in Benue State has stalled, with the feuding camps loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) failing to reach a truce.

BusinessDay’s findings show that despite intervention by the party’s national leadership, reconciliation efforts in Benue have made little progress, raising concerns over the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Benue APC has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis between two factions laying claim to the state chairmanship. While the governor’s camp recognises Benjamin Omale as chairman, the SGF’s camp insists that Austin Agada remains the authentic chairman.

The crisis led to the operation of parallel party secretariats in Makurdi and a flurry of suspensions and counter-suspensions.

A peace meeting convened by the APC national secretariat as part of a renewed nationwide reconciliation drive was expected to broker a truce. However, sources familiar with the talks said the meeting ended in a deadlock after both sides refused to shift ground on the chairmanship question.

A credible party source told BusinessDay, “The national delegation met with both sides separately. The issue is beyond chairmanship; it is about control of the party structure ahead of 2027. Neither Alia nor Akume is willing to concede.”

It was gathered that while the governor’s camp demanded recognition of the Omale-led executive and fresh harmonisation of ward structures, the Akume camp insisted on adherence to the 2022 congress that produced Agada.

In a telephone chat with BusinessDay, Benedict Yawe, Publicity Secretary of the Benjamin Omale-led faction, said, “Our position has always been clear, reconciliation is not only possible, it is necessary for the growth, unity, and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State. As a party, we must rise above personal differences and recognize that our collective interest is far greater than the ambitions of any individual or group.”

“As members of the Alia-led APC, we remain confident in our position because we believe in the strength of our party’s established structure, the support of our members at the grassroots, and the importance of democratic principles in determining the direction of any political organization. We understand that politics is a game of numbers, and in a democracy, numbers, broad-based support, and the strength of party structures are important factors in determining legitimacy and political success.

“However, our confidence should not be mistaken for hostility or an unwillingness to accommodate differing opinions. Our doors remain wide open to genuine reconciliation, meaningful dialogue, and an inclusive approach that puts the unity and future of the APC first. We are not interested in deepening divisions or creating unnecessary tensions within our party.”

“That said, reconciliation must be sincere, principled, and guided by respect for the party’s constitution, established structures, and legitimate leadership. It should not be about imposing the interests of one group on another, but about finding common ground in the overall interest of the party.

“We therefore call on all stakeholders to approach the reconciliation process with open minds, a genuine spirit of compromise, and a willingness to put the party first. We are ready to welcome our brothers and sisters back into a common political family because, at the end of the day, we are stronger together than apart.”

On his part, Morgan Ihomun, the Publicity Secretary of the Austin Agada-led APC faction in Benue State, said the claim that their camp had rejected peace was misleading.

“Governor Hyacinth Alia has refused to genuinely reconcile the party despite the intervention of President Bola Tinubu. Instead of embracing reconciliation, he has continued to grandstand and insult critical stakeholders of the party, referring to them as ‘Jija Bokoti’ [expired buckets.

“Since assuming office as governor, Alia has failed to build the necessary bridges with key stakeholders, in fact he has never held a single meeting with members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the APC. Rather than unite the party, his style of leadership has deepened divisions and distrust.

“Alia has chosen to act like a lone ranger, giving the impression that he no longer needs the same party leaders, stakeholders and political structures that worked tirelessly to secure his emergence as governor in 2023.

“Reconciliation cannot be achieved through propaganda, intimidation or the shifting of blame. It requires sincerity, mutual respect, recognition of legitimate party structures and a willingness to accommodate differing interests.

“We remain committed to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ideals of our great party. We are working hard for Mr President’s re-election in 2027,” Ihomun said.

Analysts warn that failure to resolve the dispute could affect APC’s chances in 2027, especially in a state where the PDP and other opposition parties are seeking to capitalise on the ruling party’s internal divisions.

The deadlock is also raising fresh concerns within the APC national secretariat, which is said to be worried that Benue, a strategic North-Central state, could become a flashpoint if the parallel structures are allowed to persist into the election season. Party insiders say the national leadership may be forced to impose a political solution or constitute a caretaker committee if both camps fail to agree on a harmonised structure in the coming weeks.

For now, both factions continue to operate separately, issuing parallel statements and mobilising supporters ahead of 2027, a development stakeholders say risks voter apathy and confusion at the grassroots if not urgently addressed.

With the 2027 elections less than five months away, party stakeholders fear that unless the national leadership takes decisive action, the Benue chapter may go into the elections as a divided house.