Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State appears to be on the verge of one of the most significant political realignments in Nigeria’s recent history, following a discreet late-night meeting with former PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in Makurdi, Daily Independent has exclusively gathered.
A senior political insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as “the strongest indication yet that Governor Alia is preparing to leave the APC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).”
According to credible sources, the confidential meeting took place on Monday evening at Senator Ayu’s residence along Nyesom Wike Road, lasting more than two hours. Discussions reportedly centered on final arrangements for Alia’s anticipated move to the ADC. The timing of the meeting is notable, occurring less than 24 hours after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar formally registered as an ADC member in Jeda, Adamawa State—a development believed to be sparking widespread political recalibrations across the country.
Multiple sources also confirmed that Ayu visited Benue to receive his ADC membership card, signaling a renewed effort to forge alliances with Atiku and other influential North-Central political figures.
Inside Government House, sources say the Makurdi meeting is part of a larger strategy to facilitate Governor Alia’s transition to the ADC. Loyalists within the governor’s camp are reportedly setting up parallel structures in various local government areas, aimed at demonstrating that Alia has the grassroots strength necessary to sustain an independent political movement.
“The governor is laying the groundwork for a new political home,” one insider explained. “These LGA structures are the foundation. The strategy is broader than many people understand.”
Tensions in Benue politics heightened further after the state government ordered the demolition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign office in Makurdi. Although no official reason was provided, many observers view the action as a symbolic distancing from the APC. Party loyalists see the move as an attempt to weaken APC influence ahead of Alia’s expected departure.
Central to the unfolding drama is the long-running feud between Governor Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. Despite Akume’s pivotal role in securing Alia the APC ticket in 2023, disagreements over appointments, party administration, and political structures have widened the rift, resulting in factional congresses, parallel meetings, and mutual accusations.
“The APC in Benue is fractured beyond repair,” an APC official said anonymously. “If Alia leaves, it only confirms what many inside already know.”
Senator Ayu’s renewed political engagement following his suspension as PDP chairman in 2023 has revived dormant networks across the North-Central. Coupled with Atiku’s high-profile switch to the ADC, analysts believe a coordinated political coalition may be taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections. For Governor Alia, such an alliance could provide institutional support and a shield against the Akume-led APC faction, which has grown increasingly critical of his administration.
Neither Governor Alia nor Senator Ayu has issued a public statement on the Makurdi meeting. However, the sequence of recent events—including Atiku’s registration, Ayu’s movements, cracks within the APC, and Alia’s strategic repositioning—points to a potential major political shift. Analysts suggest that if Alia formally joins the ADC, it may become one of the most consequential realignments in the North-Central since 2019, with possible national implications heading into 2027.
For now, all eyes remain on Governor Alia, whose next move could reshape the political landscape of Benue State—and possibly the wider Nigerian federation.
