A group of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has declared support for the re-election of Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The group, under the aegis of the Concerned Benue APC Stakeholders and Strategic Alliance, made its position known during a world press conference addressed by its convener and spokesman, Dr Dominic Alancha in Abuja on Thursday.
Alancha said the group had previously opposed Governor Alia’s re-election bid based on what he described as “convenient interest and other factors,” but had now changed its position in the interest of the party.
According to him, the supremacy of the APC requires members to put the collective interest of the party above personal ambitions and disagreements.
He said, “As a spokesman for the Benue Strategic Alliance Group before now, I have led conversations against Governor Hyacinth Alia’s 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.”
The group also warned APC members against activities capable of undermining the party’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alancha said disagreements with Governor Alia or the party leadership should be addressed through the appropriate organs and established procedures of the APC.
“If anybody has a disagreement with Governor Hyacinth Alia, there are legitimate avenues for expressing that disagreement. If anybody believes the party leadership has made a mistake, the party has organs through which that grievance can be presented,” he said.
He described the APC as bigger than any individual, leader, aspirant or political group, stressing that the party’s constitution and rules should apply equally to all members.
The stakeholders urged the relevant party authorities to investigate activities that could weaken the APC in Benue and take appropriate action where violations of the party’s rules are established.
The group further called on APC stakeholders across the state to put aside personal differences and work toward strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders said the achievements of the Alia administration provide what they described as a strong basis for the governor to seek another term in office.
They also declared their intention to mobilise support across the state for the re-election of Alia and Tinubu.
“We will defend the APC mandate, and we will mobilise across Benue State for the re-election of Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Alancha said.
The group appealed to aggrieved party members to seek reconciliation and use the recognised party structures to resolve their grievances, warning that members found to have violated the APC constitution should face the consequences provided by the party’s rules.
It also called on Governor Alia to remain focused on governance and urged the APC leadership to uphold the supremacy of the party constitution and ensure that disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with due process.
The stakeholders said they would take their mobilisation campaign to local government areas, wards, units and communities across Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections.
2027: Benue APC stakeholders declare support for Alia, Tinubu’s re-election