Fresh cracks have opened within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, after rival factions conducted parallel state congresses on Tuesday, deepening an internal power struggle with implications for party governance.

The dispute pits groups loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia against supporters of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, with each side claiming procedural legitimacy and producing its own state executive committee.

At the IBB Square in Makurdi, the governor’s faction held its congress, where Benjamin Omale emerged as state chairman, an outcome authorities say followed the screening of aspirants under the supervision of a national election committee constituted by the party.

A separate congress organised by the Akume-aligned faction, also in Makurdi, affirmed the Austin Agada-led executive for another four-year term through a voice vote, with organisers insisting the exercise complied with party rules and involved statutory delegates from across the state.

Governor Alia, in remarks following his faction’s congress, described the process as orderly and reflective of internal democracy, while urging party members to remain united and continue supporting President Bola Tinubu and his policies.

The emergence of parallel executives now places the party’s national leadership under pressure to clarify which structure has authority, especially as unresolved disputes over leadership could affect cohesion, discipline, and preparations for future elections in the state.

As of Tuesday, neither the APC’s national leadership nor the Independent National Electoral Commission had issued an official position, leaving the governance question hanging and reinforcing concerns over how internal party conflicts are managed at the state level.