‘He’s crippling APC in Benue’ — group claims Alia planning to join ADC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) League has demanded the expulsion of Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, over alleged anti-party activities.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, John Ogiri, the group’s national president, accused Alia of sidelining the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure in Benue and refusing to convene party meetings.

Ogiri said Alia’s absence from the recent APC national summit at the State House — where President Bola Tinubu was endorsed for a second term — is evidence of his disconnect from the party’s national leadership.

Ogiri added that Alia is planning to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“Over the last year, we have noted the governor’s systemic avoidance of party organs, his alienation of critical stakeholders, and his disturbing silence on persistent and credible allegations regarding his planned defection, first to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and now to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

“More disturbing is the growing evidence of Governor Alia’s covert alignment with Senator Gabriel Suswam, el-Rufai and other actors opposed to APC interests in Benue and Nigeria at large.

“These underhand collaborations and his refusal to engage the NWC’s reconciliation efforts have further deepened division within the party in the state.

“His allies are visibly embedded in the operations of the ADC, while the APC structure in Benue is being deliberately crippled.

“Rather than confront these issues with transparency, the Governor and his surrogates have opted for diversion, discrediting sources, attacking messengers, and ignoring the party’s demand for clarity.

“This continued ambiguity is corrosive to the spirit of unity within the APC and sends dangerous signals to loyal party supporters across the state and country.

“This systematic dismantling of the party’s internal architecture endangers our cohesion and long-term viability in the state.

“Let it be noted that the NWC of the APC has initiated multiple reconciliation mechanisms in Benue State, which Governor Alia has flatly ignored.

“His refusal to submit to party discipline and unity efforts is glaring and must no longer be tolerated.

“Furthermore, Governor Alia’s constant threat of leaving the party, while his political spirit has long departed, is a dangerous liability to the APC.

“The continued indulgence and condoning of this behaviour by the NWC pose a serious danger to the unity and credibility of our party.”

Ogiri asked the party’s leadership to expel Alia for “gross misconduct and anti-party activities”.

Opposition leaders are finalising plans to adopt the ADC as a platform to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.