Governor Alia speaks on defection rumours, reaffirms loyalty to APC

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has strongly denied reports suggesting he is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as “fake news” and “typical of yellow journalism.”

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor accused Sahara Reporters of spreading falsehoods aimed at misinforming the public and creating a non-existent crisis within the APC in Benue State.

“We read another fake news publication by Sahara Reporters, wherein they have alleged that Governor Hyacinth Alia is plotting to leave the All Progressives Congress amidst the brewing crisis in the APC in Benue State,” Kula stated. “For the unsuspecting public, the story is not true and is typical of the yellow journalism practices by some online newspapers.”

Kula reaffirmed the governor’s loyalty to the ruling party, emphasizing that Governor Alia has been actively involved in party affairs at both the state and national levels. “There is no doubt about the Governor’s loyalty to the APC,” he said. “He has been an active participant in the affairs of the party, including the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC sole candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.”

Addressing suggestions of strained relations between the governor and the presidency, Kula said, “His presence at both the zonal event and national event held at the banquet hall in the villa contradicts the false narrative being peddled by this medium.”

The statement also dismissed claims of internal discord within the state chapter of the APC. “The APC leadership in the State is in no crisis as claimed in the unfounded report,” Kula stated. “The party under the chairmanship of Hon. Benjamin Omale has a super working relationship with the Governor and has been performing its functions effectively.”

Expressing disappointment at the report, Kula said it was “appalling and disappointing how a medium could blatantly publish lies to cast doubts on the attendance of a personality like a state governor in an occasion he attended along with his colleagues with full media coverage.”

Kula urged the public to ignore the rumour, stating clearly: “The Governor has no plans to defect from the APC, especially as Benue State stands to benefit more under the party and the Tinubu-led presidency. He will continue to deliver good governance to the people of Benue State on the APC platform they elected him.”

He concluded by calling on the public and media consumers to “always rely on credible sources of information rather than fake information mediums.”