Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has led a coalition of 15 political parties in Benue State to mobilize support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The alliance, named the Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu/Shettima 2027, includes prominent political figures such as former Governor Samuel Ortom, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN.
Dan-Morgan Ihomun, the Publicity Secretary of the alliance, disclosed that the coalition has constituted a Joint Campaign Council comprising over 1,000 members to coordinate mobilization activities across the state. Under the new structure, Senator Akume will serve as the Chairman of the Joint Campaign Council, while former Governor Ortom will hold the position of Deputy Chairman. The council is designed to bring together political parties, stakeholders, and support groups to create a coordinated and inclusive campaign framework.
The alliance includes a diverse range of political entities, spanning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP, as well as the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), BOOT Party, National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), National Democratic Party (NDP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party, and the Labour Party.
Key leadership positions within the council have been assigned to senior political figures. Chief Akange Audu was appointed Director-General, with Joshua Saleh serving as Deputy Director-General. Donald Amokaha and Ambassador Philip Eche were named Secretary and Deputy Secretary, respectively. Additionally, a Campaign Advisory Committee was established, chaired by Alhaji Usman Abubakar, with Dr. Steven Tsav serving as Deputy Chairman.
The council’s membership includes several high-profile politicians, such as former Senate President Senator Ameh Ebute, Senators Jack Gyado, Emmanuel Udende, and Titus Zam, as well as former Deputy Governor Chief Benson Abounu. The alliance has also established 29 directorates to oversee specific campaign functions, including media, finance, legal services, security, and youth mobilization. To ensure grassroots reach, the structure includes zonal directorates for the state’s three senatorial districts and campaign directorates in all 23 local government areas.
At the ward level, the arrangement designates APC ward chairmen as coordinators, PDP ward chairmen as deputy coordinators, and Labour Party ward chairmen as secretaries. The alliance stated that this extensive structure is intended to ensure effective coordination and inclusiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition announced that the official commissioning of its campaign secretariat in Makurdi will take place on Friday, November 20, 2026. The date for the formal inauguration of the Joint Campaign Council is yet to be determined and will be announced later.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
