Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has received the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag as its governorship candidate for Benue State ahead of the 2027 election during the Tinubu/Shettima rally in Jos over the weekend.

The presentation of the flag by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, represents a formal affirmation of Governor Alia's recognition and acceptance by the party as its standard-bearer in Benue State for the forthcoming governorship election, as well as an expression of the party's confidence and institutional backing for his second-term bid.

The presentation formed part of the rally's activities, during which APC governorship candidates from across the North-Central region received their respective party flags, reaffirming the party's commitment to its candidates as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

The rally, held at the Zaria Road Stadium, attracted prominent national and regional political leaders, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, members of the party's National Working Committee and other stakeholders.

President Tinubu, who led the national delegation to the rally, reiterated his administration's commitment to national development, particularly the restoration of peace and security in communities affected by violence.

He assured the people of Plateau State of the Federal Government's commitment to rebuilding communities affected by insurgency and facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

The Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the gathering, highlighting the administration's development initiatives and calling for support for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

The rally attracted party faithful, supporters, and political stakeholders from across the North-Central region, providing a platform for the party's leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the 2027 electoral process.

Gov Alia receives APC flag for 2027 Benue governorship race

Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, has criticised the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, describing him as a “public nuisance” and questioning his capacity to build a nationwide political structure.

Afegbua made the remarks during an interview on Arise News while reacting to Sowore’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu following the booing of the President by some youths in Abuja on Friday, November 13, 2026.

Sowore had accused Tinubu of hypocrisy, questioning why the President was now advocating peaceful political campaigns after experiencing hostility during his visit to the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja.

The incident occurred shortly after Tinubu attended Juma’at prayers at the mosque, where some youths were heard chanting “Ba ma yi, ba ma so”, a Hausa expression meaning “We don't want you” or “We don't support you”, as his convoy departed.

In a reaction posted on his X account, Sowore questioned the President's silence over alleged attacks on opposition politicians and their supporters across the country.

However, Afegbua dismissed Sowore's comments, arguing that someone aspiring to lead the country should demonstrate maturity, responsibility and decorum in public engagements.

“I don't want to listen to all of Sowore's rants because I see him more as a public nuisance,” the commissioner said.

He added that presidential candidates must understand the responsibility associated with seeking to lead a country of more than 250 million people.

“Leadership is a serious responsibility, and you cannot go around making flippant, ridiculous and reckless statements in the name of presenting yourself as a presidential candidate,” Afegbua stated.

He maintained that political ambition should be accompanied by a reasonable level of discipline, insisting that candidates must conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the position they seek to occupy.

The Edo commissioner also questioned Sowore's political reach, describing him as someone who fills a gap in Nigeria's political aspirations rather than a candidate with the organisational capacity to compete effectively nationwide.

According to Afegbua, establishing a functional political structure across all 774 local government areas would be a major challenge for the AAC presidential candidate.

He, however, acknowledged that politicians like Sowore play a role in expressing public frustration and providing an avenue for citizens to communicate their opinions.

Afegbua also defended Tinubu's call for adequate security for presidential candidates, arguing that the President's statement after the Abuja incident was consistent with an earlier directive to security agencies.

He said Tinubu had, two or three weeks before the mosque incident, instructed the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to ensure that all presidential candidates received adequate protection.

According to him, the President's latest remarks should therefore not be interpreted as a reaction prompted solely by the hostility he experienced in Abuja.

Afegbua further argued that Tinubu's political background gave him considerable experience in political struggles, noting that the President had faced difficult circumstances during his years in opposition.

He nevertheless stressed that occupying the presidency requires a broader sense of responsibility beyond party interests.

“President Tinubu is not just a member of the party. He's also the leader of the entire country,” he said, adding that the President has demonstrated that every Nigerian belongs, irrespective of political affiliation.

2027: Afegbua attacks Sowore over reaction to attack on Tinubu in Abuja mosque