Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against involving the state in his political calculations, insisting that Benue is neither Rivers State nor available for political bargaining.
He said the political future of Benue would be determined by its people rather than through political arrangements negotiated outside the state.
“Benue is not Rivers and I’m not Fubara,” the governor declared in a pointed response to Wike’s recent comments and political activities in the state.
The governor’s position was conveyed in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James Asortar.
The disagreement comes amid reported efforts by Wike to expand his political influence in Benue through his Rainbow Coalition, which has reportedly attracted prominent political figures, including former governor Gabriel Suswam and Senator George Akume.
The controversy has also been fuelled by Wike’s challenge to state governors to make public details of how they spend federal allocations and other public funds under their control.
Wike reportedly said Benue receives about N30 billion monthly, like other states, and urged Alia to make the relevant financial records available to the public to demonstrate how the funds were being utilised.
The FCT minister made the remarks while canvassing support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
However, Alia’s response has shifted the disagreement beyond questions of public spending to concerns about political influence and the right of Benue residents to determine their state’s political direction.
The governor maintained that Benue would not be treated as a political commodity to be traded through private negotiations, stressing that decisions affecting the state must reflect the wishes and interests of its people.
The confrontation comes as political alignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political actors seeking to consolidate their influence across the country.
Some political groups in Benue have also reportedly opposed attempts by the Rainbow Coalition to establish a foothold in the state, warning that they would resist such efforts.
While Wike’s comments have raised questions about public accountability, Alia’s response underscores the growing sensitivity surrounding political alliances and external influence as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
The extent of the Rainbow Coalition’s influence in Benue, however, remains unclear, as the reported coalition-building efforts do not, on their own, establish the level of its political control in the state.
