Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against attempts to influence the state’s political future through the Rainbow Coalition, insisting that Benue is not Rivers State and he is not Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

 

Alia’s warning comes amid reported political manoeuvres by Wike and his allies to influence party structures and power arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections, including in states governed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

In a statement issued on Sunday through his Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James Asortar, the governor challenged Wike, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to publicly explain the objectives of the coalition.

 

The statement rejected any attempt to determine the state’s governorship through private negotiations involving influential political figures.

 

“Benue is not a political commodity, and its governorship is not for settlement in private political negotiations,” Asortar said.

 

He maintained that Benue’s political circumstances were different from those of Rivers State, warning that the state’s leadership should not be determined by powerful individuals seeking to impose their preferred arrangements on the electorate.

 

“If the reported coalition is merely a political alliance, its proponents should explain its objectives openly. If it involves any arrangement intended to influence Benue’s governorship, the people deserve transparency,” he said.

 

The governor’s position signals a potential confrontation with political figures associated with the Rainbow Coalition as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum and competition for control of party structures intensifies.

 

Alia’s Government Highlights Achievements

Defending the governor’s performance, Asortar cited the rehabilitation of more than 550 kilometres of roads and the construction of over 420 kilometres of new roads as part of the administration’s infrastructure programme.

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He also highlighted efforts to clear inherited salary arrears and improve the payment of salaries and pensions.

 

According to the statement, the administration has undertaken security interventions, supported agricultural activities and pursued the rehabilitation of Taraku Mills.

 

However, the governor’s aide acknowledged that insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and the difficulties facing displaced residents remained major challenges requiring sustained attention.

 

Asortar argued that the state’s political future should be determined by the performance of public officials and the needs of residents rather than negotiations among influential politicians.

 

Governor Warns Against Political Imposition

The statement maintained that no political heavyweight could claim ownership of the votes of Benue residents or determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election through personal influence.

 

The governor’s aide urged Wike and other figures linked to the Rainbow Coalition to clarify their intentions, while calling on the APC and other political parties to respect internal democratic processes and the rights of their members.

 

He further argued that the governorship contest should focus on critical issues, including security, infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare and agriculture, rather than political intimidation or behind-the-scenes agreements.

 

“The people of Benue have the constitutional right to determine their political future. Their decision must not be predetermined by political negotiations, external influence or the ambitions of powerful individuals,” he said.

 

The development comes as political alignments and negotiations ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to generate tension within and across Nigeria’s major political parties.