Benue APC: Alia says no directive on automatic tickets for lawmakers

By Emmanuel Antswen

Benue governor, Hyacinth Alia has dismissed report that President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC has ordered that state and federal lawmakers in the state should be given automatic ticket to contest for re-election in 2027.

Alia spoke after a meeting held to resolve prolonged internal crisis that has crippled the APC in Benue on Sunday.

The high-level reconciliation meeting in Makurdi brought together Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Gov. Hyacinth Alia, party leaders, lawmakers and other influential stakeholders across the state.

Federal appointees, lawmakers and stakeholder representatives attended the meeting.

Some reports had indicated that one of the grounds for reconciliation was granting of automatic tickets to state and federal lawmakers in the state for the 2027 election.

But Alia dismissed reports of any official directive on automatic tickets.

The governor said no formal approval had come from the leadership of the party despite earlier reports.

“The President and party leadership have not approved automatic tickets,” he said, explaining that earlier comments were only appeals for support.

However, Alia described the meeting as timely and necessary.

The governor said the gathering was designed to heal divisions and restore confidence.

“This meeting was deliberate and aimed at bringing everyone back together,” Alia said.

He said he apologised to members who felt excluded or offended. “I apologised on behalf of all members to those aggrieved,” he said.

Alia stressed that Benue’s interests must come above personal ambitions. “Benue is bigger than any individual, and unity must prevail,” he said.

The governor said reconciliation remained necessary for effective governance and development.

He added that leadership required sacrifice, understanding and collective responsibility.

Akume had earlier announced the resolutions reached at the meeting to stakeholders and the media.

Akume said stakeholders openly reviewed grievances, disagreements and political misunderstandings that had weakened the party.

According to him, members agreed to prioritise unity, dialogue and mutual respect moving forward.

“We reviewed our mistakes and agreed to rebuild an inclusive party,” Akume said.

He said party leaders accepted that divisions had slowed political progress and affected internal confidence.

Akume disclosed that members reached a consensus supporting Alia’s return as governorship candidate.

He said the governor acknowledged concerns raised by aggrieved members during discussions.

“The governor apologised, and that is an important step toward reconciliation,” he said.

Akume said he also conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s message on party unity.

According to him, the President urged elected APC officials to work together. He said these included lawmakers at both state and national levels.

Akume expressed confidence that the meeting would strengthen party cohesion in Benue.

He added that unity would improve cooperation ahead of future political activities.