The recent reconciliation mediated by Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, between Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, seemed to promise a new chapter of cooperation and progress. However, recent events suggest that tensions are still simmering beneath the surface, raising questions about the sincerity of the reconciliation and the political landscape in Benue State.
AkweyaTV does not dwell on partisan politics, but when the activities of partisan politicians bear on development, this medium is forced to weigh in. The video trending from a recent event, where the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Paul Biam, made divisive remarks about the All Progressives Congress (APC) factions, indicates that the wounds of political rivalry have not fully healed. The reference to “original APC” versus “fake APC” members and the exclusionary rhetoric employed by Hon. Biam hint at lingering divisions within the party. It is even more significant that the dramatis personae include a high-ranking official of the Federal Government, Senator George Akume.
Already, the Benue APC caucus in the National Assembly has backed Comrade Austin Agada as the State Chairman of the party and Akume as its leader. Hon Philip Agbese, who made the statement, said Akume’s position is in keeping with the party’s constitution. This makes it obvious that divisions still exist within the party.
The fact the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, was at the scene of Biam’s remarks and has not denounced it nor provided alternative context for it, raises concerns about the Governor’s stance on party unity and inclusivity. Analysts are wondering whether Biam’s outburst reflects the Governor’s position, or merely the sentiment of a faction within the party. It would be strange that as close an aide as the Chief of Staff to the Governor would publicly express an opinion of any tendency within the party other than his principal’s.
The power struggle between Alia and Akume is complex. While some view it as a battle for political survival for the two gladiators and their foot soldiers, others see it as a struggle for control over the state’s political and economic landscape. The skirmish last year over the appointment of a speaker in the Benue State House of Assembly exemplifies the high stakes involved. While Akume was perceived to be behind Hon. (Mrs) Becky Orpin (and AkweyaTV wrongly predicted her emergence), Alia proved his political mettle by working with other parties for Hon. Aondona Dajoh, representing Gboko West State Constituency, to emerge speaker.
Since then the battlefield has hosted many battles between the godfather Akume and his political protege Alia. The Governor once referred to the SGF as his “son”, playing on Alia’s religious position of Reverend Father which makes lay persons his spiritual “children”. The SGF was miffed. Then the Governor dissolved and reconstituted local government councils, installing caretakers, effectively changing guards of loyalty at the grassroots. The battle then quickly morphed to the party leadership in the state, which is where the current controversy caused by Hon. Biam’s statement takes off.
Despite the reconciliation efforts led by the Tiv Traditional Council, Biam’s utterances and the seeming endorsement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary reveal that the fundamental issues driving the rift between Alia and Akume remain unresolved. While both leaders have publicly committed to working together for the greater good of Benue State, actions speak louder than words. The true test of their commitment to reconciliation will be demonstrated through their willingness to set aside personal ambitions and prioritise the interests of the people they serve. Or when they acknowledge that their personal ambitions would only be realised by defusing the other’s capacity to detonate and cause harm.
As the 2027 elections loom on the horizon, it is imperative for Alia and Akume to recognise that continued discord will only serve to undermine the progress and development of Benue State. It will also undermine their chances of getting what they both want. Alia appears to be proving that he has got what it takes to pull punches, even if he would emerge bloodied. Akume, as the godfather, must recognise when his political godson has grown. Alia should also recognise that Akume as an old war machine can damage governance for him. No one in Benue wants a repeat of the experience where governance was reduced to press conferences about insecurity while development was relegated to the background, and hordes of salaries and pensions were left unpaid.
The situation where then Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the former chairman of Board of Trustee, BOT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, ended their long drawn out rift is instructive. The Governor, at an event, said to Anenih in front of over a thousand witnesses: “My leader and my father, at different times, I know that I have offended you by the position of our political differences. I feel that there is no other way and as the occasion, right now present us, there is nowhere suitable to call for forgiveness and I will like to passionately appeal to those and to you my leader, Chief Tony Anenih that you forgive me. I beg for your forgiveness Sir.” This was despite the Governor feeling that the godfather known as Mr Fix It deprived Oshiomhole of his mandate to be Governor in April 2007, handing it to Prof. Osariemen Osunbor. The apologies can also be tendered by the godfather to the Governor.
Thus, the only viable path forward for both Alia and Akume is genuine reconciliation, marked by a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. For them both, a Hindu proverb would suffice: “Help thy brother’s boat across, and lo! thine own has reached the shore.” Anything less would be a disservice to themselves and to the people of Benue and a missed opportunity for meaningful development.
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