FACT CHECK: Is it true that Alia is defecting from APC ahead of 2027 election?

By Daniel Okwa

Speculations are rife that the governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia will defect from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the 2027 elections.

Some of the reasons cited are his visit to notable figures of other political parties including Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others. Others said that the reason could be traced to his sour relationship with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume who is believed to have singlehandedly brought him to power. Alia is said to severe ties with the SGF and it is feared that he may not support the governor in 2027 so Alia has decided that he would leave the party.

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CLAIM: Alia is defecting from APC ahead of 2027 election

In a publication by Tivta Samuel Aondohemba citing Life Issues Magazine, referred to the prophecy of Primate Ayodele saying that Alia will leave APC because he has been abandoned and left out by his people.

VERIFICATION: This reporter looked out for publications and broadcast news that debunked the allegations from the office of the governor and other reliable sources to verify if the claim is true.

In many broadcasts and publications by reputable Media sources and the benue state government, the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula has debunked the allegations describing it as laughable, mischievous and wicked.

Secondly, a series of Defection rallies held in all the local government areas of the state where members of other political parties, including National Assembly members, and notable members of the society dumped their parties and joined the APC. When such serious things happen, it shows that the party is strengthening it’s hold and establishing itself above other parties in order to take over and strengthen it’s voting capacity to win elections.

VERDICT:
FALSE

The allegation is found to be false because there is no direct word from the governor establishing the claim of his defection.

The series of mass defection rallies that took place after the allegation show Alia would contest election in 2027 under APC and so will not defect to give another contestant that large voting crowd.

This piece is written in collaboration with Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa)as part of its media fellowship.