A major reconciliation meeting was on Sunday held at the Government House, Makurdi, bringing to an amicable end the frosty relationships between Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and other party stakeholders.
The party has been split between factions loyal to Governor Alia and those aligned with Senator Akume for almost three years.
Blueprint.ng learnt that Sunday’s meeting sought to heal those divisions with the view to chart a new path forward ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after the deliberations which were held behind closed doors, Senator Akume emphasised inclusiveness and unity.
He said, “We want unity, we want everybody to have a place. We want inclusiveness. The governor told us he was sorry for what happened that led to the crisis in the party.
“The President’s message is clear, ‘everyone who won an election on the APC platform, from the State House of Assembly to the National Assembly, should be supported’. We also discussed that the governor should return. We have discussed and arrived at a common ground.”
Governor Alia, who convened the meeting, described it as a deliberate effort to restore harmony.
“The import of this meeting is to reconcile with ourselves and to find common grounds. We must return to the basis of camaraderie and partnership to work for the progress and development of Benue State.
“The APC governs this state, and we cannot afford to miss the opportunity to deliver for our people.”
He highlighted achievements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, noting that parents no longer pay school levies in basic education, clinics have been revived in rural communities, and roads have been repaired.
He stressed that unity within the party was essential to sustain these gains. “If we do not mend fences and bring everyone back under one roof, then it is not good leadership.
“That is why I invited Senator Akume and other stakeholders to sit together and agree on the way forward,” he noted.
A former member of the state House of Assembly who was also a state commissioner, Hon. Odukelaho Nick Eworo, welcomed the reconciliation, describing it as timely.
“This is the day the Lord has made. It is the right time for unity. The president understands the dynamics of our political party and wants us to win together. Today marks a new beginning.”
The meeting concluded with a resolution to operate under one roof as a united APC in Benue state, with consensus candidacies agreed for future elections despite tensions at the beginning, which almost disrupted the reconciliation.
