“The canary that dances along the bush path must have its drummer in the nearby bush” – African Proverb
The drummer seemingly beating the war drums for Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue state, which is fueling his war against Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), is allegedly Senator Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of the state, who, like Alia, was solely propelled to the Benue state Government House by the same SGF they are warring. Unfortunately, betrayal is the way of so many politicians. The other notable drummer, whose drumming the governor apparently enjoys is allegedly posting Senator Barnabas Gemade, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The three – Governor Alia, Suswam and Gemade – are seemingly united by their mutual opposition to Akume’s political leadership than by any altruistic purposes, hence the alliance to wage a senseless war against Akume. It’s important to stress that each of the three has his own agenda in precipitating the crisis, sustaining it and ensuring that it’s never resolved. Many political analysts believe that being a war of supremacy, it’s only a matter of time for the trio to fight each other and “scatter”, especially as the well educated Alia is not oblivious of the game being played by the other two.
Without a doubt, sacking Akume as the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue state is at the center of the crisis rocking the ruling party in the state.
Though Suswam and Gemade, are alleged to be using their inexplicable influence over the “politically naive” Governor Alia to settle their own political scores with Akume, which they successfully marketed to the governor from the outset as war of independence, Alia, according to his political associates, is not as politically daft as they think. Alia is aware of the political chess game being played, but has for strategic reasons played along because he needs the allied forces to defeat Akume. Alia, knowing that the battle tested Akume can easily crush him, enlisted their support. The long term plan is that he would eventually take the two of them on. This outcome won’t be surprising, considering that it’s a relationship delicately glued by the mutual dislike for Akume, their political nemesis.
Benue state indigenes are certainly in for very interesting times ahead. Who would have believed that former Governor Samuel Ortom, who like Suswam and Alia, fought Akume after being helped to power, would stage a comeback like the biblical prodigal son asking for forgiveness and declaring from the banks of River Benue that Akume is the unquestionable leader of Benue state? The icing on the cake was Ortom’s unsolicited advice to Alia to recognise Akume as the undisputed leader of Benue state, an advice that would have certainly sent Alia tumbling down from his executive seat.
Ortom is not and will not be the last to reconcile with Akume. Ignatius Ayu, erstwhile national chairman of the PDP, had equally reconciled with Akume, after waging a relentless battle against the SGF.
That Akume, despite the gang up by beneficiaries of his political shrewdness, remains standing like the rock of Gibraltar and has continued to wax stronger, speaks volumes about his firm control of Benue politics and the unwavering love for Akume by the people, which explains their readiness to move in whatever direction he goes. Akume’s strength is that he leads by consensus.
It must be stated that Akume is not Alia’s problem, and the tragedy is that he might find out rather too late. It’s a good beginning that he understands he is only being used to inflict maximum revenge on Akume, but he must come down from his high horse and reconcile with Akume while it’s still feasible. He ought to know that Suswam, a PDP chieftain who fought him during the 2023 general elections, will fight him again in the 2027 general elections, because his ambition has always been to dethrone Akume and become the political leader of Benue state.
Suswam, fighting Akume who in spite of the opposition of key stakeholders made him a governor, should be a warning to Alia that at the appropriate time Suswam will turn against him, because it’s always been a relationship of convenience and Alia would have served his uses. Like politicians say, there are only permanent interests and no permanent friends.
But worrying for many Benue indigenes are the real threat to peace in a state hitherto peaceful, but for the activities of the bandits. Benue state would have become a battlefield due to the governor’s uncompromising stance that he must be made leader of the state, but for the grace of God and the refusal of the Akume group to engage the governor.
Governor Alia must, like the Liverpool coach after their 3-0 woeful performance against Atalanta, reconcile with his objective reality and reach out to the Akume group for settlement. The party has ruled against him, as did the Benue state high court. Even though the Tiv Traditional Council played safe, they know the aggressor. Alia should make halftime the adjustments, so he can effortlessly run for the second term he badly wants.
Governor Alia, who is presently probing the Ortom administration, must watch it.
Ado writes from Kaduna.
