Benue APC Crisis Deepens as Deputy Governor Rejects Controversial Peace Communiqué

Benue APC crisis escalates as Deputy Governor Sam Ode disowns a controversial peace communiqué. Get full details on the political tensions and what it means.

The internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has taken a fresh turn, as Deputy Governor Samuel Ode publicly rejected a controversial peace communiqué allegedly issued after a reconciliation meeting.

The development signals a major setback in efforts to resolve ongoing disagreements within the party, particularly between key stakeholders.

Deputy Governor Disowns Peace Communiqué

The deputy governor, who also chaired the committee responsible for drafting the communiqué, stated that the document circulating in the media does not reflect the actual resolutions reached during the reconciliation meeting.

According to him:

• The communiqué released publicly was not finalized
• The draft had only been submitted for review
• No official approval was given before its circulation

He further alleged that individuals manipulated the process by attaching signatures from an attendance register to create the impression of legitimacy.

Controversy Over “Automatic Tickets”

A major point of contention in the crisis revolves around claims that party leaders agreed to grant automatic tickets to current office holders ahead of future elections.

However, the deputy governor firmly denied this, stating that:

• The issue of automatic tickets was never discussed in the communiqué
• No agreement was reached on candidate endorsements
• The published claims misrepresent the outcome of the meeting

He described the circulation of such information as misleading and harmful to the party’s reconciliation efforts.

Rift Between Key APC Leaders

The crisis also reflects deeper divisions between prominent figures in the Benue APC, including:

• Hyacinth Alia (Governor of Benue State)
• George Akume (Secretary to the Government of the Federation)

Reports indicate that both leaders have expressed differing positions on key issues, particularly regarding candidate selection and party structure.

While some stakeholders suggested automatic tickets for certain office holders, others strongly opposed the idea, insisting on due process through party primaries.

How the Communiqué Controversy Emerged

The disputed communiqué reportedly surfaced in national media, claiming that both the governor and the SGF had agreed on critical party decisions.

However, the deputy governor clarified that:

• The document was still under review at the time
• Only the governor and SGF were authorized to sign the final version
• The committee did not approve or sign the circulated version

This revelation has raised concerns about internal sabotage and misinformation within the party.

Implications for APC in Benue

The latest development suggests that reconciliation efforts within the Benue APC are far from over. Instead, the situation appears to be worsening, with:

• Increased mistrust among party members
• Conflicting narratives from top officials
• Delays in achieving unity ahead of future elections

Political observers believe that unless the issues are resolved quickly, the crisis could weaken the party’s chances in upcoming political contests.

What This Means for Nigerian Politics

The Benue APC crisis highlights broader challenges within political parties in Nigeria, including:

• Internal power struggles
• Lack of unified communication
• Disputes over candidate selection processes

Such issues often affect party stability and governance at both state and national levels.

The rejection of the peace communiqué by the Benue State Deputy Governor underscores the fragile state of unity within the APC in the state. As disagreements continue over key decisions like automatic tickets, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.

Moving forward, the party leadership will need to address these divisions transparently to restore confidence and ensure political stability in Benue State.