.…Benue Governor Acting on Advice of Senator Suswam

From Mngohol Mbaivur, Makurdi

It has been confirmed that Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State is one of the aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) governors who are quietly exploring political understandings with former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dependable sources say that Governor Alia has already met more than once with Atiku Abubakar to strategize ahead of the presidential election with the hope of getting support in return from the former Vice President and his supporters during the governorship election later in February 2027.

https://voxnews.com.ng/betta-edu-leads-apc-womens-grassroots-activation-for-tinubu-2027/11

The sources further say that former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam played a key role in facilitating contacts between the two camps. Suswam, who served as the North Central Coordinator of Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign, recently moved into the APC fold and is a close friend of Governor Alia.

Suswam lost his bid for a return to the Senate and continues to battle legal challenges arising from allegations relating to the management of state resources during his tenure, particularly the N3.1 billion corruption scandal from the sale of Benue shares in Dangote Cement Plc for which he is being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The reported outreach to Atiku comes at a time when Governor Alia is facing increasing political pressure within his own party.

The governor’s relationship with several influential APC stakeholders in Benue State has become increasingly strained, particularly with forces aligned to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

Political analysts believe that the growing divisions within the APC in the state have created uncertainty regarding the Governor Alia’s prospects for securing a smooth path to a second-term ticket.

Compounding the challenge is the emergence of powerful political figures within the Rainbow Coalition who continue to support President Tinubu while maintaining independent political structures in the state.

Among them is former Governor Samuel Ortom, whose recent alignment with pro-Tinubu political forces associated with FCT Minister Chief Nyesom Wike has generated considerable attention within Benue’s political landscape.

Aondoakaa Emerges as Major Opposition Force

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has continued to gain visibility through policy-focused engagements and consultations across the state.

https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/24/sec-issues-deadline-for-public-companies-to-submit-ifrs-sustainability-reporting-plans/

Political watchers increasingly view the 2027 governorship race as shaping up into a major contest between Governor Alia and Aondoakaa, with the outcome likely to be influenced by broader national political realignments and the growing battle for influence between competing political blocs.

For now, neither Governor Alia, Senator Gabriel Suswam nor Atiku Abubakar’s camp has publicly commented on the allegations.