By Aminu Garko
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders from Benue South Senatorial District, also known as the Idoma Nation, have renewed their demand to produce the next governor of Benue State, citing decades of political exclusion since the state’s creation in 1976.
The demand was part of resolutions reached at a delegates’ conference convened by the Benue South Strategic Group (BSSG), a socio-political and economic pressure group, held over the weekend in Makurdi.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read by former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Benson Abounu, the group also announced a zoning arrangement for the 2027 senatorial election within the district.
According to the communiqué, only aspirants from Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi Federal Constituencies will be supported to contest for the Benue South senatorial seat in 2027.
The group explained that the decision was driven by the need to promote fairness, equity, and inclusivity, noting that other federal constituencies in the district have historically dominated the senatorial position.
It observed that Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency had previously produced prominent senators such as Senator David Mark and Senator Adejo Ogiri, while Okpokwu/Ado/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency had also produced former Senate Presidents Ameh Ebute and Senator Abba Moro.
“It is only morally right to allow Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi Federal Constituencies the opportunity to produce the next senator, as they have yet to occupy the position,” the communiqué stated.
The group added that the arrangement would operate on a rotational basis between the two constituencies to ensure sustained balance and fairness.
“If Apa/Agatu produces the next senator, the seat will rotate to Oju/Obi after two terms, in the spirit of equity, justice, and unity,” Abounu said.
On the governorship, the group insisted that Benue South must be allowed to produce the next governor, describing the continued exclusion of the zone from the state’s top political office as unjust and unacceptable.
It lamented that since 1976, the district has neither produced a governor nor a Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, among other key positions.
The group further stated that it would support only presidential candidates in 2027 who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing political imbalances and the challenges facing minority groups across the country.
Such candidates, it added, must also present concrete plans to tackle insecurity affecting communities in the region.
While expressing strong determination to actualise its governorship ambition, the group acknowledged the need for collaboration.
“We are determined to produce the next governor, but we recognise that we must build alliances and engage stakeholders across the state to achieve this goal,” the communiqué added.
The group also called for equitable distribution of elective and appointive positions across Benue State, including the office of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
It stressed that the resolutions reached would guide its political engagements, consultations, and alliance-building efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
