Governor Alia Pledges Double Votes for Tinubu in 2027

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia met with President Bola Tinubu on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Accompanied by former Governor Gabriel Suswam, Alia pledged to deliver at least 620,000 votes for Tinubu in the 2027 general election, effectively doubling the 310,468 votes the president received from the state in 2023.

The closed-door meeting served as a strategic effort to reconcile rival political blocs within the All Progressives Congress (APC). Leadership struggles have intensified between Alia's camp and supporters of Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume. Tensions were further heightened by a contested senatorial ticket for Suswam, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC only to have his primary victory overturned by an appeal committee.

Alia briefed the president on Benue's security improvements and the return of internally displaced persons for the farming season. He also highlighted industrial development, including a commissioned fruit concentrate factory and 10 urban renewal road projects recently inaugurated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu during Benue's 50th anniversary celebrations.