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Fresh cracks have emerged within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after Deputy Governor Samuel Ode rejected a widely circulated communiqué claiming that automatic tickets were approved for lawmakers ahead of the 2027 elections. He described the document as misleading and unauthorised, insisting it did not reflect the outcome of the party’s recent reconciliation meeting. 
Ode, who chaired the communiqué drafting committee, clarified that what the committee produced was only a draft document forwarded to Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume for review and approval. He alleged that the version in circulation was altered or prematurely released, stressing that no final communiqué had been officially endorsed. 
He firmly denied claims that the committee discussed or approved automatic tickets for any category of candidates, stating that such provisions were never part of their deliberations. According to him, the committee also lacked the authority to sign or release any official statement, noting that only the governor and the SGF are empowered to approve a final communiqué. 
The controversy has further destabilised ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party, which were already strained by disagreements between key stakeholders over candidate selection methods. Analysts say the dispute highlights deep internal divisions that could impact the APC’s unity and strategy in Benue ahead of the 2027 elections. 
