Nigeria: Confusion in Benue APC As Alia, Akume Camps Claim Possession of Ward Congress Materials

16 February 2026
Leadership (Abuja)
By Aza Msue

A fresh internal crisis is brewing in the Benue State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as camps aligned with Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, each claim to possess the materials for the forthcoming ward congresses.

Shortly after the 2023 elections, the Benue State APC chapter split, with the two factions recognising different state chairmen. Governor Alia's camp backs Chief Ben Omale as state chairman, while Akume's camp supports Austin Agada.

The APC is scheduled to hold its ward congresses on 18 February 2026.

On his verified Facebook page, Dickson Tarkighir, member of the House of Representatives for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency and aligned with Akume's camp, announced that the national APC secretariat had handed the Benue ward congress materials to his group. Tarkighir posted a photo of the materials loaded into his G-Wagon and wrote: "Wards congresses are for Wednesday 18/2/26, let's all come out and choose our leaders at the wards."

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Reacting to Tarkighir's post, Alfred Berger Emberga, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and a member of Alia's camp, said the forms being circulated were fake and had been manufactured in Garki, Abuja. Emberga wrote on his verified Facebook page: "#MyInterest. UAC Plaza Garki manufactured forms."

Governor Alia's social media aide, Asortar James Asortar, also rebutted Tarkighir on Facebook: "I have received Benue State congress forms on behalf of my state now. Haakyav Tombu Peter, organise Benue masses tomorrow to welcome us at Agan. Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, be expecting me, Sir," he wrote.

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