The Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (BAGA) has raised concerns over an alleged political plot to unseat Governor Hyacinth Alia ahead of the 2027 governorship election, urging political stakeholders to respect the will of the Benue electorate.
The group expressed its concerns in a statement signed by its President, Chief John Terfa, and issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday. Their response followed reports of an alleged proposed political alliance involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom.
BAGA alleged that the discussions were linked to a proposed political arrangement known as the Rainbow Coalition, which it claimed could influence the outcome of the 2027 governorship election in Benue State.
According to the group, the alleged arrangement was part of broader political negotiations aimed at securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, with Benue reportedly among the states being considered in the process.
They further alleged that former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Mike Aondoakaa, was being considered as a preferred governorship candidate under the proposed coalition.
The group, however, stressed that any political arrangement involving the state should respect the right of Benue voters to determine their preferred candidate through a credible electoral process.
BAGA maintained that while political consultations and alliances were legitimate aspects of democracy, they should not undermine the choices of the electorate or exclude citizens from decisions concerning the state’s leadership.
BAGA said “Why should political actors from outside Benue have a decisive influence over who governs the state. Benue is not a political commodity to be traded behind closed doors in Abuja. The people of the state must have the final say on who governs them and the direction their state takes.”
The organization also expressed support for Governor Alia’s administration, arguing that the incumbent should be allowed to present his record in office to the electorate and seek re-election in 2027 in accordance with the law.
The group said “Alia’s administration is performing well in governance and development, so political alliances should not be used to undermine the democratic choices of the electorate. Governor Hyacinth Alia should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted tenure, if re-elected in 2027.”
It urged political stakeholders to focus on governance, development and the welfare of residents rather than allowing political negotiations to overshadow the democratic process.
The group further called on political actors seeking the support of President Tinubu to pursue their ambitions through transparent and democratic means without arrangements that could compromise the independence of Benue voters.
“Benue people are politically conscious. They will not surrender their future to a coalition of political interests formed without their consent,” the statement said.
BAGA also called on civil society organizations, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote peaceful political participation and encourage issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
It maintained that the reported coalition, regardless of its political objectives, should not prevent the electorate from freely deciding who governs the state.
The organization urged political leaders within and outside Benue to respect the state’s political autonomy, stressing that the outcome of the governorship election should reflect the wishes of the people.
BAGA said the central issue was ensuring that the 2027 election remained a credible democratic contest in which candidates were judged on their records, policies and capacity to deliver good governance, insisting that the future leadership of Benue State should ultimately be determined by voters through the ballot box.
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