Benue Isn’t Rivers, I’m Not Fubara, Alia Warns Wike

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 his Rainbow Coalition, declaring that Benue is not Rivers State and he is not Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The warning comes amid reports of Wike-backed political manoeuvres involving key figures seeking to influence party structures and power arrangements ahead of the 2027 general election, including in states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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

The statement rejected any attempt by Wike and his allies to determine Benue’s governorship through private political negotiations.

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

He insisted that Benue’s political realities differed from those of Rivers State, warning against attempts by influential politicians to impose leadership 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 statement effectively placed Alia’s administration at odds with the coalition, as political alignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections and the struggle for control of party structures intensifies in the state.

Defending the governor’s record, Asortar cited the rehabilitation of more than 550 kilometres of roads and the construction of over 420 kilometres of new roads, alongside efforts to clear inherited salary arrears and improve salary and pension payments.

He also highlighted security intervention in agricultural support and the rehabilitation of Taraku Mills, while acknowledging that insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and the plight of displaced residents remained unresolved challenges.

The governor’s aide maintained that political heavyweights could not claim ownership of the votes of Benue residents, insisting that the electorate must freely determine the state’s leadership in 2027.

He urged Wike and other figures linked to the Rainbow Coalition to clarify their intentions, while calling on the APC and other parties to respect internal democratic processes and the rights of their members.

The aide said the governorship contest should be decided on security, infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare and agriculture, rather than political intimidation or backroom deals.

“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.