Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to contest the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Alia passed the screening exercise on Friday at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, which served as the venue for incumbent governors seeking re-election under the APC platform.
The panel was chaired by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. 
The governor’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were purchased by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Benue State Motorcycle Association.
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Leaders of both groups said they were backing Alia due to his developmental strides, people-oriented leadership, and improvements across the state.
Political observers say the certification strengthens Alia’s position within the APC as consultations and alignments for 2027 begin to take shape.
Alia, who was elected in 2023 on the APC platform, has focused his administration on infrastructure development, security, civil service reforms, and social welfare programmes.
He was cleared after meeting all constitutional and party requirements outlined by the APC.
The development signals an early intensification of political activity within the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
