Benue power play: Alia moves to heal APC rift ahead of Nigeria’s high-stakes 2027 race

In a calculated bid to stabilise political tensions in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Hyacinth Alia has launched a reconciliation effort within the All Progressives Congress (APC), extending an olive branch to key figures including George Akume.

The move comes amid deepening internal fractures within the ruling party in Benue State, a region widely regarded as a decisive battleground in national elections.

By inviting aggrieved stakeholders across rival camps, Alia is seeking to rebuild unity, restore confidence, and prevent further political fragmentation ahead of the 2027 polls.

Political observers say the reconciliation push reflects broader concerns within the APC over internal divisions that could weaken its electoral chances not just in Benue, but across Nigeria. With opposition forces quietly positioning themselves, any prolonged crisis within the ruling party may shift the balance of power.

As Nigeria inches closer to another crucial election cycle, Alia’s intervention is being viewed as both a survival strategy for the APC in Benue and a litmus test for the party’s ability to manage internal democracy at a national level.