By Joe Ngbede

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has once again waded into stormy political waters with a decision that is sparking fierce criticism and raising fresh questions about his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). For his second-year anniversary in office, Alia has reportedly hired Labaran Maku—an aggrieved figure within the opposition and a known coalition stakeholder aligned against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT)—to lead media consultancy efforts.

The move is seen by many as a calculated provocation, deepening speculation about Alia’s partisan direction, internal party discipline, and long-term political alignment, particularly as national APC structures rally around President Tinubu’s agenda. Critics argue that the optics of appointing a known opposition figure for such a high-profile assignment not only betray the party’s collective stance but also expose growing internal fractures within the APC leadership in Benue.

In what some have described as a political misstep bordering on going berserk, Governor Alia’s selection of Maku—a controversial figure who symbolically represents opposition to the current federal leadership—has left both party faithful and observers questioning his strategic clarity.

Labaran Maku, a former Minister of Information under the Jonathan administration and a long-standing PDP figure, is not only politically misaligned with the APC but is also believed to be nurturing ties with the ADC—a party Governor Alia has repeatedly been linked to in ongoing speculations about a 2027 switch. For many within the APC fold, this appointment is not merely inappropriate; it’s provocative.

“This isn’t just about hiring a consultant,” said a senior APC stakeholder who requested anonymity. “This is about sending a message. And the message Governor Alia is sending is one of disregard, not just for party structures, but for party values.”

The timing of the move, just as tensions escalate over Alia’s strained relationship with APC stakeholders and amid calls from within the party’s national league for his expulsion, only deepens suspicion over his long-term political intentions.

The decision has also triggered widespread dismay among Benue’s media professionals. Several practitioners and communication strategists in the state view Alia’s selection of Maku as a vote of no confidence in local capacity.

“There are dozens of competent, apolitical media professionals within Benue who are capable of designing and executing a world-class anniversary communication strategy,” said a veteran journalist based in Makurdi. “Bringing in Maku not only undermines our professional community but also fuels speculation about deeper partisan calculations.”

More pointedly, the governor’s move appears to sideline his existing media team. The likes of Tersoo Kula, his Chief Press Secretary, and Solomon Iorpev, his Special Adviser on Media and ICT, are now seen by some observers as having been publicly undermined by the outsourcing of such a critical milestone to an outsider. That perception is rapidly breeding internal tensions and public embarrassment for an administration already navigating growing political scrutiny.

Critics have also raised ethical red flags regarding the use of public funds to contract a politically affiliated media figure. At a time when public confidence in governance is fragile and scrutiny of government spending is intensifying, the optics of awarding such a strategic assignment to a potential opponent—or at the very least, a non-aligned actor—may carry reputational risks that outweigh the short-term communication gains.

“Even if Maku has the technical competence, the question remains: is this appointment in the public interest or party interest?” queried a media rights advocate in Abuja. “You don’t appoint a referee with a club jersey under his coat.”

For critics of Governor Alia within the APC—particularly those aligned with the party’s disciplinary and reformist platforms—this latest development is not isolated. It follows what they describe as a pattern of disregard for APC structures, increasing alignment with non-APC figures, and persistent speculation about future defections. The League had earlier issued a public call for his expulsion, citing his absence at key party events, refusal to participate in reconciliation efforts, and consistent marginalization of party stakeholders.

With this latest appointment, that call appears to have found fresh validation in the eyes of many.

As the Governor prepares to mark his second year in office, he faces a critical question: can he continue to govern from within a party whose core structures and values he appears to be drifting away from? Or is this latest move another stepping stone toward a broader realignment?