Fact Check: APC Claims Benue Governor Alia’s Leadership Strengthens Party Unity Ahead of 2027

Claim An APC insider stated that Governor Alia’s leadership has united the party and positioned it for victory in the 2027 governorship election.

Evidence Chief Benjamin Omale was elected state chairman at the APC’s Benue State congress and Governor Alia commended the peaceful, credible and transparent ward, local government and state congresses. Comrade Daniel Onjeh affirmed that the congresses were conducted in line with the APC constitution and guidelines and that Omale remains the recognised chairman while Alia remains the party’s leader in Benue. Onjeh also said grassroots reconciliation has taken place and the party is united at the base.

Verdict The claim of solidified party unity is mostly true.

Analysis The leadership roles of Omale as chairman and Alia as leader are confirmed by multiple sources, and the congresses were described as peaceful and credible, supporting the unity narrative. However, the insider’s additional claim that Alia’s entry into the APC caused the party’s victory across all positions in the 2023 general elections is false; Alia was not a candidate in those elections and won the governorship later. Therefore, while the unity claim holds, the broader electoral attribution does not.

Watch for the APC’s next state congress and any shifts in leadership ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race.