Why I Met President Tinubu Alongside Suswam – Benue State Governor

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Monday expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state would overcome the disagreements that followed its recent primary elections.

Alia spoke with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The governor’s visit came amid discontent within the Benue APC after the party replaced some of his political associates on the final list of National Assembly candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite the disagreements, Alia said he was confident that aggrieved members would embrace reconciliation and work for the ruling party.

“I know that there are some agitations from APC faithful after the primaries, but I believe that it’s going to calm down. Mr President is a democrat who understands this,” Alia said.

“He is a grassroots person and we’re working for APC altogether.”

The governor expressed confidence that the APC would remain strong in Benue ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also pledged to improve President Tinubu’s electoral performance in the state.

“I am very confident that as I won the election, even at the first time, we’re going to double the numbers for him, and APC will continue to remain just one threshold,” he said.

Alia said Tinubu’s political experience and understanding of grassroots politics would help the party navigate its internal disagreements.

The governor said his meeting with the President also focused on politics, security and humanitarian challenges in Benue State.

According to him, he visited the President to thank him for attending the Benue at 50 celebrations and inaugurating projects in the state.

“We just came to thank him for showing up at Benue at 50, and then also to give him updated on the situation report of the entire state,” he said.

Alia said he briefed Tinubu on the security situation in Benue, noting that conditions had improved.

He, however, said concerns remained over the return of internally displaced persons to their communities, particularly as the farming season progresses.

Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, accompanied Alia to the meeting with the President.