Benue Gov Dismisses Defection Rumours

The Benue State Government has firmly refuted a circulating report alleging that Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia plans to abandon the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The rumour was reportedly linked to a purported “secret meeting” with Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

The claim was dismissed as a baseless fabrication in a statement issued on Wednesday by Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. The government labeled the narrative as a “wicked, mischievous, and vicious smear campaign.”

Officials argued that the fabricated story was designed primarily to divert the Governor’s attention from his critical governance duties and to mislead the Presidency for selfish political gains.

The government clarified that Governor Alia’s routine engagement involves visiting elder statesmen and national figures without any political or religious bias. This inclusive approach, they insisted, is a core tenet of his leadership style.

According to the statement, the Governor views visits to respected leaders, including those of Senator Ayu’s standing, as a normal practice that aligns with his development-focused agenda for the state.

The statement further highlighted that Governor Alia has actively courted influential stakeholders in Benue, many of whom have subsequently joined the APC. Among those mentioned were former Senator Prof. David Iornem, Elder David Iorwashima Amo, and Ambassador Terhemen Tarzoor.

The government added that the APC in Benue State is currently in a strong expansion phase, consistently attracting opposition figures across various local government areas through regular defection events.

“Such engagements have strengthened the party rather than weakened it,” the statement noted, contradicting the intended narrative of division.

The administration insisted that the verifiable political reality in the state is the steady and continuous expansion of the APC under Governor Alia’s leadership, not the “fiction being circulated by mischief makers.”

Governor Alia, the statement confirmed, remains fully committed to strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. He is open to engaging even his strongest opponents as part of a broader consolidation plan for both his administration and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The public was urged to completely ignore the “concocted story,” which officials described as a malicious attempt to create confusion and undermine the notable progress achieved by the administration.