Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have thrown their weight behind the re-election of Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, while warning party members against anti-party activities capable of undermining the party’s electoral prospects.
The forum, under the aegis of the Concerned Benue APC Stakeholders said the APC was bigger than individual leaders, aspirants and political groups, urging members to subordinate personal ambitions and disagreements to the collective interest of the party.
The Convener of the group and former spokesman of the Strategic Alliance, Reverend Dominic Alancha, at a press conference Thursday in Abuja, cautioned against anti-party activities indiscipline and disunity within the Benue chapter of the APC.
Alancha, who acknowledged that he had previously campaigned against Alia’s re-election, said he had changed his position after recognising what he described as the supremacy of the party and the need to protect its interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
“As a spokesman for the 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,” he said.
He insisted that the APC must not be held hostage to the personal ambitions of individuals or groups, stressing that the party’s collective interest should take precedence over factional considerations.
“We make bold to say without ambiguity that APC belongs to all of us,” Alancha said, adding that the party was “too big to be held hostage to the personal ambition of an individual or group of persons.”
He warned that activities by members of the party aimed at weakening the APC could affect its ability to retain power in Benue and contribute to the re-election campaign of President Tinubu at the national level.
According to him, disagreements with Governor Alia or the party leadership should be addressed through the recognised organs and structures of the APC rather than through activities that could amount to anti-party conduct.
“If anybody has a disagreement with Governor Hyacinth Alia, there are legitimate avenues for expressing that disagreement,” he said.
“If anybody believes the party leadership has made a mistake, the party has organs through which that grievance can be presented.”
Alancha also said members seeking political offices should follow established procedures, arguing that personal disagreements should not be turned into campaigns against the party.
“You cannot destroy the house simply because you are unhappy with the person occupying one room in that house,” he said.
He described such conduct as inconsistent with party loyalty and warned that members who violate the APC constitution and rules should be prepared to face the consequences prescribed by the party.
The group also expressed support for the Alia administration, saying the governor’s performance should be assessed on the basis of his record in office.
“Today, our position as stakeholders is that the Alia-led administration’s achievements in governance provide a strong basis for the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek another mandate in 2027,” Alancha said.
He pledged that the group would campaign for the two leaders and mobilise support across Benue State for their re-election.
“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,” he said.
Alancha appealed to members associated with the Benue Strategic Alliance and other political camps to embrace reconciliation and return to the recognised structures of the APC.
He said there was still time for members to resolve their differences and present their grievances to the appropriate party organs at the state and federal levels.
The group warned that members who chose to engage in anti-party activities should be prepared to face disciplinary measures in accordance with the party’s constitution and rules.
“Nobody should expect immunity because of his or her position, history or influence as the constitution of the party treats everyone equal,” he said.
Alancha stressed that the APC constitution applied equally to party leaders, elected officials, activists and ordinary members.
“The APC constitution is not meant for ordinary members alone. The constitution applies to everybody: big man or small man, leader or follower, elected official or party activist. The rules must be the same,” he said.
He called on relevant party authorities to investigate credible allegations of violations and take appropriate action in accordance with due process.
The group maintained that democracy allowed disagreement, criticism and competition, but argued that party members should use the structures of the organisation to pursue their grievances.
“If you are an APC member, you have a responsibility to protect the APC. If you disagree with the APC leadership, use the structures of the APC,” Alancha said.
He urged APC elders, leaders and stakeholders across Benue to rise above personal interests and avoid actions that could deepen divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also warned against factional politics, saying internal disagreements should not be allowed to weaken the party’s electoral structure or provide an advantage to its opponents.
“The question before us is not: ‘Who controls the party?’ The bigger question is: ‘Will the APC remain strong enough to win in 2027?'” he said.
Alancha called for a united and disciplined APC capable of presenting its record to the electorate and seeking another mandate on the basis of its performance.
“We want a united APC. We want a disciplined APC. We want an APC that is confident about its record,” he said.
He urged Governor Alia to remain focused on governance and service delivery and called on the APC leadership to protect the supremacy of the party’s constitution.
“Stand firm. Protect the supremacy of the party constitution. Ensure that no individual is bigger than the party,” he told the party leadership.
The group said its mobilisation would extend to local government areas, wards, units and communities across Benue State as it prepares to campaign for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alancha declared: “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. Benue must come first.”
The APC won the 2023 Benue governorship election with Alia securing 473,933 votes, according to the recorded election results.
The group concluded by calling on APC members to close ranks, uphold party discipline and work towards the re-election of Alia as governor and Tinubu as President at the poll.
