By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

A political forum in the North Central geopolitical zone has expressed concern over the lingering disagreement between the Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, saying the development if not carefully handled, could affect the chances of the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC in the state during the 2027 general election.

The group under the aegis of North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC Forum, while noting that the party cannot afford to lose Benue State, feared that Akume’s unfavourable disposition towards Alia’s administration could compel the latter to quit APC for another political party just as his successor, Samuel Ortom did while presiding over the affairs of the state.

Recall that similar disagreement between Akume and Ortom, who was elected as governor under the All Progressives Congress platform,had led him to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The North Central APC Forum,in a statement on Sunday,after a meeting in Abuja,tasked the SGF to ensure the party does not lose the state to the opposition in 2027.

In the statement signed by its chairman, Saleh Zazzaga,the North Central APC Forum advised Akume to desist from using proxies to attack the governor,warning that he would be blamed if history repeats.

The forum’s statement read: “The North-Central APC Forum has observed with concern unrelenting attacks on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume. The sustained media attacks, orchestrated through proxies and faceless groups, is aimed at undermining Governor Alia, and making it difficult for him to effectively govern the state.

“As stakeholders, the North-Central APC Forum is warning the SGF, Senator George Akume, to stop further attacks on Governor Alia. The attacks on the Governor can destabilize the APC in Benue State and the entire North-Central. We do not want that.

“The North-Central APC Forum is worried because the crisis which the SGF has instigated in Benue State, if not brought under control immediately, can affect the chances of the APC in the state in the 2027 election. The SGF should be held responsible if APC loses Benue State in the next election.

“The North-Central APC Forum is also warning that, should history repeats itself, and Governor Alia defects to another party, like former Governor Samuel Ortom, who was elected on APC platform but left for the PDP, the SGF, Senator George Akume, should be blamed.

“APC cannot afford to lose Benue State, neither can the party afford to lose Governor Hyacinth Alia who has been performing well in office. The SGF and his attack dogs should not distract the governor from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Benue State.”

However, in his reaction, the SGF dismissed the group’s claim that he is behind media attacks on Governor Alia, describing the claim as baseless.

Reacting through his spokesperson, Terrence Kuanum, in a statement, Akume noted that the group’s claim was intended to dent his hard earned image.

He said: “There is no iota of truth in the claim that the SGF is behind media attacks on the Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia.

“The group led by Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga however exposed its real motive/agenda when it threatened to mobilize against the SGF and demand his removal from office

“Contrary to the claims by the APC North Central Forum, the SGF has continued to offer leadership and direction in Benue and North Central Chapter of the party.

“We are, however, shocked at the comments by Zezzaga, same man who had previously expressed the satisfaction of the North Central Forum of the party over what he described as a ‘purposeful take off of duties by the SGF since his assumption of office’, during the 2023 third quarter meeting of the North Central APC in Jos, where he went further to say the SGF was already showing quality leadership.

“Still at the meeting in Jos, Zezzaga called on the SGF to improve on his superlative performance, remain focused, purposeful, and concentrate on his mandate, and further urged the SGF not be distracted by anything from any quarter.

“We wish to state that the SGF has continued with his superlative performance earlier noted by the Chairman of the APC North Central Forum and will not be distracted by anything from any quarter as earlier advised by the same Zezzaga, who today is out to vilify the SGF.

“We wish to inform Nigerians that the group which is attacking the SGF is a sponsored group that is out to distract him, but the SGF is focused on the assignment given to him by the President and is concerned with driving the renewed hope agenda of Mr President for its dividends to spread across north central and the country at large.”