The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has debunked reports alleging him as defecting to another party as he reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress.

Alias described the social media report claiming he secretly visited former Senate President and ex-Peoples Democratic Party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to discuss a supposed defection as false and politically-motivated.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Terso.

The governor said the report is “laughable, wicked, mischievous, and a vicious smear campaign orchestrated to distract the governor from his focused governance and to deceive the presidency for selfish political gains.”

Alias further clarified that his meetings with leaders and elder statesmen in the state, including Ayu, were purely in the spirit of inclusivity and had no political or religious undertone.

Alia highlighted that he had also engaged other prominent elders such as Senator David Iornem, Elder David Amo, and Ambassador Terhemen Tarzoor, as part of efforts to consolidate APC in Benue State.

The statement read partly, “Presently, under the clear directives of His Excellency, opposition structures across Benue State are collapsing daily into the APC, with defection ceremonies taking place in virtually all local government areas, with influential figures abandoning their former platforms to join the ruling party in unprecedented numbers.

“Governor Alia remains firmly committed to building a united, dominant APC in Benue State.

“He is prepared to engage even the fiercest political opponents and bring them into the party as part of a broader strategy for 2027 consolidation, both for his administration and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He urged the public to disregard the social media report, warning that such misinformation could sow confusion and undermine the party’s growing strength in Benue State.