Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has intensified political consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, hosting a dinner for top politicians across party lines in what observers describe as a strategic move to consolidate his base and strengthen his re-election bid.
The event, tagged the “Pre-decamping Dinner,” was held at the Government House in Makurdi and attended by influential figures from opposition parties, including the Labour Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Among the guests were former governor and ADC leader Gabriel Suswam, former NAFDAC Director-General Dr. Paul Orhii, House of Representatives member Ojema Ojotu, Okpokwu State Constituency lawmaker Anthony Agom, former Information Commissioner Ngunan Addingi, and former state legislator Bem Mgutyo.
James Orgunga, publicity secretary of the APC caretaker committee loyal to Alia, said the dinner was designed to foster dialogue among politicians who appreciate the governor’s performance and share his vision for Benue’s development. He described it as a platform for collaboration rather than partisan alignment, adding that several attendees had pledged to work with the governor even without formally joining the APC.
The gathering was followed by an expanded APC caucus meeting, during which some attendees officially defected to the ruling party. Governor Alia described the dinner as “a fellowship of progress,” emphasizing unity, dialogue, and continuity in his administration’s development agenda.
He also addressed concerns surrounding the state’s N100 billion loan, explaining that the funds would be used to finance ongoing infrastructure projects and clear debts inherited from past administrations. According to the governor, major road networks linking local government areas are under construction, while efforts are ongoing to expand industries and revamp healthcare facilities to tackle unemployment and improve public welfare.
Political analyst Simon Ameh described the initiative as a calculated step by the governor to rebuild his political structure and secure support ahead of 2027. Ameh said Alia’s development record and growing independence from long-standing political power blocs have positioned him as a formidable force in Benue politics.
“Many thought the governor lacked political experience, but he is proving otherwise. His developmental strides and political outreach show he is building a structure capable of ensuring re-election,” Ameh said.
However, not everyone welcomed the move. Former lawmaker Bem Mgutyo, whose name appeared on the event’s invitation, said he declined to attend, describing the gathering as “an ambush.” He advised Governor Alia to reconcile with his political benefactor, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and other APC stakeholders.
“My advice to the governor is to go back to Akume, who still commands loyalty among the state’s political heavyweights,” Mgutyo said, recalling President Bola Tinubu’s earlier advice for the two leaders to mend fences.
The power struggle between the governor’s camp and Akume’s loyalists continues to divide the APC in Benue. While Orgunga insists that Alia, as the sitting governor, is the rightful leader of the party in the state, Daniel Ihomun, publicity secretary of the Akume-backed faction, maintains that the Agada-led State Working Committee remains the party’s legitimate executive after surviving legal challenges.
As both camps jostle for control of the party’s structure, the governor’s dinner has become a focal point in Benue’s evolving political realignment — a sign that the road to 2027 in the state may be marked by shifting alliances and strategic reconciliations.
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