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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The political crisis rocking the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a dramatic turn as the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, Elaigwu Odogbo John, have openly threw their weight behind Governor Hyacinth Alia in the fierce battle over the control of party structures in the state.
The two paramount rulers, acting on behalf of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, jointly signed a letter dated April 22, 2026, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, urging him not to tamper with the APC structures already handed to Governor Alia.
In the letter, the monarchs appealed directly to the President to resist pressures from unnamed political actors seeking to wrest control of the party machinery from the governor.
“We respectfully appeal to Your Excellency not to allow the APC structure in Benue State to be taken away from Governor Hyacinth Alia due to pressure from some political actors,” the royal fathers stated.
The traditional rulers further commended Alia for consolidating control of the party in the state, arguing that the development had strengthened governance and positioned the APC for victory in future elections.
“Note that control of the party in the state has enabled the Governor to consolidate leadership, strengthen governance, and further align the state with the vision and progressive ideals of your administration,” the letter read.
“By this, he is now poised to deliver Benue to the APC at all levels in the 2027 general elections.”
The intervention by the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma has, however, sparked controversy among political observers and stakeholders who argue that traditional rulers are expected to remain neutral custodians of peace and unity rather than openly participate in partisan political struggles.
Critics insist that by openly backing one faction in the APC leadership tussle, the revered monarchs may have crossed the line from statesmanship into active political alignment.
The controversy deepened following reports that Governor Alia also sent a separate memo to President Tinubu shortly after receiving the endorsement of the traditional rulers.
Observers have also faulted the monarchs for failing to raise concerns over the worsening insecurity and killings in parts of Benue State in their appeal to the President.
According to critics, while the royal fathers vigorously defended Governor Alia’s hold on APC structures, neither their letter nor the governor’s communication reportedly urged the Presidency to take decisive action to end the bloodshed in the state.
The development is expected to further inflame tensions within the Benue APC ahead of the 2027 political permutations, as rival camps continue to battle for influence and control of the party structure in the state.