From Joseph Uchenna, Makurdi
A group known as Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability, BAGA has alleged plot by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen George Akume, Minister for Federal Capital Territory, FCT Barr Nyesom Wike and former Benue Governor Chief Samuel Ortom to remove Governor Hyacinth Alia in 2027 through a rainbow coalition.
The group is alleging secret political negotiations involving the trio to influence the outcome of the election, saying that the Governor should be allowed to complete two terms in office.
BAGA also raised concerns over an alleged political arrangement involving prominent political figures, warning against any attempt to influence the outcome of the 2027 Benue State governorship election without the consent of the voters.
In a statement signed by its President, Chief John Terfa on Tuesday, the group alleged that Wike was involved in discussions with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, and former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom over a proposed political alliance reportedly known as the “Rainbow Coalition”.
BAGA further alleged that Wike is seeking political control over five states under the Peoples Democratic Party PDP as part of the proposed arrangement to deliver President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, with Benue reportedly among the states being considered to hand over to Wike through the Rainbow Coalition.
The group further claimed that the discussions were aimed at securing the emergence of former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Mike Aondoakaa, as a preferred governorship candidate in Benue under the proposed coalition, despite some controversy around his tenure as the former Attorney General of the Federation.
BAGA questioned why political actors from outside Benue should have a decisive influence over who governs the state, positing that the choice of governor must remain with the electorate.
“Benue is not a political commodity to be traded behind closed doors in Abuja. The people of the state must have the final say on who governs them and the direction their state takes,” the group said.
The organisation alleged that Wike had held series of meetings with Akume and Ortom in recent weeks to discuss the reported arrangement.
It was alleged that Wike demanded that Akume should make sure Governor Alia is not re-elected or declared winner in 2027 whether he wins or not and boast of having the judiciary under his control.
BAGA rejected what it described as an attempt to determine Benue’s political leadership through negotiations among powerful individuals, insisting that Governor Hyacinth Alia should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted tenure, if re-elected in 2027.
BAGA argued that any coalition seeking to influence the 2027 election should be based on transparent principles, competence, accountability and the interests of the people, rather than personal ambition or political bargaining in Abuja.
The group also challenged political actors seeking the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue their ambitions without attaching conditions that could compromise the democratic choices of the voters.
“Benue people are politically conscious. They will not surrender their future to a coalition of political interests formed without their consent,” the statement said.
The organisation called on voters, civil society groups and political stakeholders to remain vigilant and defend the state’s democratic rights ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Whatever colour it is given; Rainbow, PDP or otherwise, the people will reject any arrangement that threatens their collective interests and development,” BAGA said.
“Benue is not Rivers State and we will not allow Wike to choose a governor for us in Benue State,” the group added.
According to BAGA, the central issue is whether political negotiations in Abuja will respect the right of Benue voters to determine their own leadership.
The group maintained that the state’s governorship should not be decided through private agreements among political power brokers, but through a democratic process in which the people have the final say.
