Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has intensified speculation about his political future after appointing Labaran Maku, a prominent opposition figure, to lead his special media team.

The appointment comes amid persistent rumors that Governor Alia is considering defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further straining his already tense relationship with the party.

Maku, a former Minister of Information under President Goodluck Jonathan and a vocal critic of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been confirmed as the special media team lead under the auspices of Timbuktoo. This appointment was verified during a recent tour by the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board.

The decision has reportedly angered APC loyalists who view it as a signal of political realignment. Maku has long been associated with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and is reportedly involved in building a broader coalition to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.

In a statement, the Benue APC Likeminds expressed concern over the governor's actions: "Governor Alia is dancing dangerously close to the edge. Labaran Maku is not just an outsider, he's a symbol of everything the APC is fighting against ahead of 2027."

The statement further emphasized that the timing of Maku's appointment, coupled with ongoing defection rumors, suggests the governor may be preparing to "jump ship."

Governor Alia's relationship with the APC has deteriorated in recent months, with party leaders at both state and national levels raising concerns over his absence from key party meetings. This latest move appears to have deepened the rift between the governor and his party.

Political analysts view this development as significant in Benue's political landscape, potentially signaling a major realignment ahead of the next election cycle. The governor has yet to make any official statement regarding the defection rumors or his political intentions.