Benue APC: Alia, SGF disagree over automatic ticket

A recent peace and reconciliation meeting convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has concluded, but not without significant divergence in how its outcomes are being perceived. The meeting, held at the state Government House under the directive of President Bola Tinubu, aimed to quell the lingering internal crisis within the state's APC chapter. Senator Akume emerged from the gathering asserting that a key resolution was the granting of automatic tickets to all current elective officers, from the governor down to members of the National and State Assemblies, signaling a desire for continuity and stability within the party.

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Where we went wrong, we want to get back and we want everybody to have a place, we want inclusiveness in this party. Secondly, the Rev. Fr. (governor) said he was sorry, which is very good. He told us he was sorry for what had happened. And of course again, all those elected on the platform of the APC, from the State Assembly to the National Assembly must still come back. It’s automatic, they must come back and Fr must return to us. Those are the issues we discussed.

However, this interpretation was directly challenged by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Alia stated that both President Tinubu and the national chairman of the APC had made it unequivocally clear that no candidate would receive an automatic ticket. While Alia acknowledged and apologized for past party crises as a responsible leader, his stance directly contradicts the SGF's assertion, creating immediate confusion and potential friction regarding the party's electoral strategy in Benue State. This disagreement highlights the complex internal dynamics and power struggles that often characterize political parties, even after reconciliation efforts.

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We all agreed to come under one roof and the import of this is to reconcile with each other and to find common ground as we were working and operating before now. To work for the progress of our party and the development of APC in the state and the nation at large, and we cannot afford to miss the opportunity for the citizens of the state to enjoy. For those who were aggrieved, I have to apologize on behalf of every member of APC. By doing that, it was deliberate as a responsible leader of the party.

The governor emphasized that the primary goal was reconciliation and working towards the party's progress and the development of the state, ensuring citizens benefit from good governance. He admitted to apologizing on behalf of all APC members to foster peace. Yet, the conflicting statements on the crucial issue of automatic tickets suggest that the path to lasting peace and unity within the Benue APC remains uncertain. The SGF's claim of automatic tickets, if true, would bypass the usual primary election processes, while the governor's insistence on the absence of such guarantees points to a more conventional, competitive electoral approach. This discrepancy leaves party stakeholders and the electorate in Benue State awaiting further clarification on the true resolutions and the future electoral landscape.

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The resolution is beyond both of us because APC has told us plainly and Mr President has mentioned several times, as well as the national chairman of APC, all said there is no automatic ticket.