2027: Benue PDP partners APC guber aspirants to oust Alia

2026-03-16 - 19:37

By Peter Duru The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has declared its readiness to partner with the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027 after it unveiled its “strategic partnership” with APC governorship aspirants aimed at removing the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The announcement came during an Expanded State Caucus meeting of the PDP held in Makurdi. The gathering, attended by top party leaders, former government officials, and key stakeholders from both PDP and the APC, focused on repositioning the party for the forthcoming elections. Addressing the meeting, former Governor and leader of the party in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, assured members that the internal crisis that had fractured the PDP and triggered litigation had been conclusively resolved following the Court of Appeal’s judgment. “The PDP is now united under the leadership of the Abduhraman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu-led caretaker committee, with recognition from INEC and other relevant bodies,” Ortom stated. He added that the party’s e-registration exercise would commence on March 16, 2026, and run for two weeks, after which the e-register would be submitted to INEC. Senate Minority Leader, Dr. Abba Moro, expressed optimism about the party’s prospects. “PDP is on the move, and we cannot be stopped. This strategic partnership idea by Chief Ortom and other leaders is a welcome development,” he said. He criticised the current governor for allegedly neglecting Benue South District or Zone C of the state, emphasising that his concern was for all of Benue rather than any ethnic division. PDP State Chairman, Chief Ezekiel Adaji, praised friends from the APC who had joined in the “Strategic Partnership to Rescue Benue.” He condemned the recent attack on PDP’s Media Consultant, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, by suspected hoodlums. Several prominent figures at the meeting delivered goodwill messages, including APC stalwart and former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN; Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN; Dr. Pius Akuta, Dr. Mathias Ibyuan; and Rt. Hon. Dominic Ucha, among others. The delegation from APC sought the PDP’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, a request PDP leaders received favourably. Chief Ortom concluded the meeting with a call for unity and focused action. “All of us cannot be leaders at the same time. My prayer is for PDP to move as one indivisible body toward the promised land in 2027,” he said. The meeting was attended by members of the State Executive Committee, former State Working Committee members, local government party executives, PDP candidates from the 2023 elections, and aspirants for the 2027 polls.