Peace talks within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have hit a deadlock following a disagreement between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, over alleged “automatic tickets” for incumbent political office holders.

The meeting, designed to resolve the long-standing feud between Governor Alia and Akume, was held in Makurdi on May 3, 2026, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

New Telegraph reports that the fresh controversy emerged on Tuesday within the party following the publication of a communiqué issued after a high-level reconciliation meeting between factions of Governor Hyacinth Alia and Senator George Akume.

The communiqué, signed by all members of the committee, which was published in several national dailies, suggested that automatic tickets had been granted to Governor Alia, National Assembly members and state lawmakers for the 2027 elections.

However, this claim has been strongly refuted by Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, who chaired the seven-member drafting committee.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Barr. Ode clarified that the issue of automatic tickets was neither discussed nor approved at the meeting.

Barr. Ode noted that the draft communiqué submitted by the committee did not contain any such provision and that the committee lacked the authority to release an official communiqué on behalf of the conveners, Alia and Akume.

The deputy governor explained that the signatures attached to the controversial publication merely reflected attendance at the drafting session and did not constitute endorsement of any final resolutions.

He said the statement also noted that the party’s North-Central National Vice Chairman, Muazu Muhammed Bawa, had reiterated the adoption of direct primaries for candidate selection, contrary to claims of automatic tickets.

While describing the publication as “mischievous”, Ode warned that such reports risk undermining ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party.