-Reaffirms commitment to mobilizing support for President
From Joseph Uchenna, Makurdi
The Benue Strategic Alliance For Tinubu 2027 has dissociated itself from membership of Alia Campaign structure.
The group in a statement signed by its Publicity secretary/Administration Officer Daniel Ihomun on behalf of the Director-General Chief Akange Audu said their attention had been drawn to a publication jointly signed by one Benjamin Omale and Hon. James Ornguga, purporting to present an Alia Campaign structure in Benue State.
According to them, the publication contained the names of several individuals, including their esteemed Conveners, Senator Dr. Jack Tilley-Gyado and Elder Simon Shango, as well as candidates for the National Assembly and Benue State House of Assembly, among others.
The Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027 disowned the said publication, any claim or suggestion that the individuals mentioned therein are associated with, or constitute members of the purported Alia Campaign structure.
Morgan said the Alliance has formally published its organisational and campaign structure for the 2027 general elections, comprising its Board of Patrons/Conveners, Advisory Council, Directorate and other members, positing that the publication remains the authentic and authoritative reference for its leadership, membership and operational structure.
The statement said, “We find it particularly contentious that a purported Alia Campaign structure would designate Governor Hyacinth Alia as its Chairman while listing the Founder and foremost political leader of the APC in Benue State, Sen. Dr. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF merely as a member. This arrangement raises legitimate questions about the recognition of established party leadership and the political history of the APC in Benue State.
“Since the APC secured victory in the 2023 general elections, the party’s established leadership and structures have, in practical terms, been sidelined by the Alia administration. This has contributed to the divisions and disagreements currently affecting the party in the state”.
The Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, reaffirmed commitment to its stated mandate of mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, adding that their political engagement also extends to supporting APC candidates for the National Assembly and the Benue State House of Assembly who emerge from the list and leadership direction recognised by its leader, Sen. Dr. George Akume.
It further expressed concern about the hardship experienced by the people of Benue State under the present administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, stating that the 2027 political process should provide an opportunity for constructive engagement on governance, accountability, party unity and the welfare of the people.
“The Alliance is an independent and clearly structured political mobilisation platform. Its identity, leadership and membership cannot be appropriated, manipulated or misrepresented through unauthorised publications.
“We therefore urge APC State, Local Government, Ward Executives, stakeholders, members and the general public to disregard the purported publication”, the group said.
The disclaimer is an indication that the crisis in the Benue APC is far to be resolved months to the general elections in 2027.
