Tension is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State as rumors intensify about Governor Hyacinth Alia's potential defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The speculation gained momentum following Governor Alia's reported late arrival at a significant APC event at the Presidential Villa where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was officially endorsed as the party's sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

According to sources who attended the event, Governor Alia arrived after the endorsement proceedings had concluded, raising eyebrows among party members. "The endorsement was nearly over and everyone was asking, 'Where is Governor Alia?' We knew he was in Abuja, he even attended the North Central meeting earlier that day. Someone eventually called him, and he rushed down, but by then it was too late," a party source revealed.

Insiders claim that Governor Alia had requested a dual endorsement – one for President Tinubu and another for his own re-election in 2027 – a condition that party leaders reportedly rejected. Following this development, sources indicate that the governor has intensified discussions with ADC leadership, allegedly facilitated by former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The situation has reportedly created division within the governor's inner circle. While some aides maintain that Alia remains committed to the APC, others acknowledge ongoing "serious consultations" with the ADC.

These developments occur against the backdrop of a deteriorating relationship between Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was once his political mentor. Their feud has split the Benue APC into rival factions since Alia's inauguration in 2023.

Senator Akume reportedly controls over 80% of the APC's structure in Benue, while Governor Alia operates a parallel executive. The governor's previous attempt to remove APC State Chairman Austin Agada, a strong Akume ally, failed when a Federal High Court in Makurdi reinstated Agada on November 28, 2024, confirming Akume's grip on the party machinery.

APC leaders from Benue South have been particularly critical of the governor's silence. "We in Benue South are not blind to what's going on," said an unnamed APC chieftain from the zone. "Governor Alia is playing hide and seek with the APC. His body is in the party, but his heart is clearly somewhere else. He should stop pretending and come clean with the people who voted for him."

The chieftain added: "You cannot demand loyalty from the party while flirting with those determined to destroy it. If Alia is done with the APC, he should have the decency to say so."

Governor Alia has neither confirmed nor denied the defection rumors, prompting a political strategist in Makurdi to observe: "The governor's silence is loud, and in politics, silence at a time like this is often the clearest confirmation."

However, an aide to the governor dismissed the rumors, insisting that the governor was present during the meeting. "There is nothing like that. The government will issue an official statement soon to put the lies making the rounds to rest," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to comment publicly.

As the political drama unfolds, observers await an official statement from Governor Alia to clarify his position within the APC and his political future in Benue State.