All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Napoleon Otache, has dismissed reports suggesting that peace had returned to the Benue state chapter of the party, insisting that no meaningful reconciliation had taken place between the factions loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that Otache, during an interview on ARISE Television, said the internal crisis has remained unresolved despite recent reconciliation efforts, with party leaders warning that tensions are intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Otache, the latest intervention by President Bola Tinubu only exposed deeper divisions within the party after conflicting accounts emerged from both camps following meetings with stakeholders.
Otache argued that the prolonged dispute is not primarily about political power struggles but rather a failure of leadership and political management.
He said, “The political atmosphere in Benue State is hotter than the atmosphere in Iraq and Iran. There has never been peace in the Benue APC right from 2023 to date.
“The SGF briefed the stakeholders… but the Governor also briefed the media with a contrary and conflicting report.
“The crisis… is largely due to inexperience on the part of certain players.”
Otache criticised Alia’s handling of party affairs, claiming the Governor lacked prior political experience before emerging in the position.
According to him, the Governor’s leadership style has worsened divisions within the party and weakened internal cohesion.
He stressed, “He has never contested even for a councillor. As a leader… your heart must be as large as the Atlantic Ocean to accommodate diverse views.”
Otache also accused the Governor of disregarding established party structures and ignoring court rulings relating to the APC’s internal organisation in the state.
He further alleged that several reconciliation efforts initiated by party leaders, including even the President, had either failed or been ignored.
He stated, “There was a valid court ruling… nullifying his action. The President directed… but the Governor also threw that away.
“If the cracks are not mended before the 2027 election, the unimaginable may happen to the party.”
He also argued that governance in Benue State has suffered because of the political crisis, describing the administration’s performance as inadequate.
He added, “Governance in Benue State is at the lowest ebb. The party is not together as we speak.”
Otache maintained that unless urgent reconciliation efforts are undertaken within the Benue APC, the party risks deeper internal fragmentation and potential electoral setbacks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
