By Our Correspondent
ABUJA – A group of stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress in Benue State has declared support for the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia in the 2027 general elections.
The group, under the aegis of the Concerned Benue APC Stakeholders and Strategic Alliance, also warned party members against alleged anti-party activities, indiscipline and actions capable of weakening the APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking at a world press conference, the convener of the group, Dr Dominic Alancha, said the APC was bigger than individual leaders, aspirants and political groups, stressing that the interest of the party must take precedence over personal ambitions.
Alancha, who is also a spokesman for the Strategic Alliance, said the group had previously opposed Alia’s re-election bid based on what he described as “convenient interests and other factors,” but had now changed its position in the interest of party supremacy.
He said, “As a spokesman for the Strategic Alliance Group before now, I have led conversations against Governor Hyacinth Alia’s re-election bid in our state based on convenient interests and other factors, but we have come to change our way because the party is supreme and, as loyal party men, the bigger party interest must be respected.”
The group alleged that some APC members associated with political groups outside the recognised party structure were engaged in activities that could undermine the party’s electoral prospects in Benue and affect Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Alancha said disagreements with Alia or the party leadership should be addressed through the appropriate party organs rather than through activities capable of undermining the APC.
“If anybody has a disagreement with Governor Hyacinth Alia, there are legitimate avenues for expressing that disagreement. If anybody believes the party leadership has made a mistake, the party has organs through which that grievance can be presented,” he said.
“If anybody wants to contest for political office, there are procedures for doing so. But nobody has the right to turn personal disagreement into a campaign against the APC itself.”
The convener maintained that Governor Alia was not a private individual but the elected governor of Benue State on the APC platform, adding that opposition to his administration by APC members could affect the party’s electoral fortunes.
He said the group’s assessment was that the Alia administration had recorded achievements that provided a basis for the governor to seek another term in office.
The stakeholders consequently declared their support for both Alia and Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Today, our position as stakeholders is that the Alia-led administration’s achievements in governance provide a strong basis for the Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek another mandate in 2027,” Alancha said.
The group said it would mobilise support across Benue State for both politicians and defend what it described as the record of their administrations.
Alancha called on aggrieved APC members to return to the party structure and pursue reconciliation, warning that those who violated the party’s rules should face the appropriate disciplinary processes.
He said party rules should apply equally to all members, regardless of their political status or influence.
“The APC constitution is not meant for ordinary members alone. The constitution applies to everybody: big man or small man, leader or follower, elected official or party activist. The rules must be the same,” he said.
The group also appealed to APC elders, leaders and stakeholders across the state to put aside personal differences and work towards strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alancha urged party members not to allow factional interests or individual ambitions to weaken the APC’s chances at the polls.
He said the group wanted an APC that was united, disciplined and capable of presenting its record to Benue voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group also called on the APC leadership to protect the supremacy of the party’s constitution and ensure that alleged violations were investigated and handled through due process.
“Where credible evidence establishes that a member has violated the party’s rules, the appropriate authorities must act. Not because we hate anybody, not because we want to silence anybody, but because a political party without discipline is not a political party; it is a crowd,” Alancha said.
He further urged Governor Alia to remain focused on governance and continue implementing his administration’s programmes rather than being distracted by internal political disputes.
The group said the time had come for APC members to close ranks and commence grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Our message is therefore simple: No individual is bigger than the APC. No faction is bigger than the APC. No personal ambition is bigger than the APC,” Alancha said.
“The party must come first. Benue must come first, and together, we shall work for the victory of the APC and the re-election of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, in 2027.”