2023 Deputy Governor in Benue State; Who is next?

By John Anthony Ikwulono

Primary elections have come and gone, Candidates/Flagbearers have emerged to fly the flag of their Political parties in the State. Emphasis will be on the ruling PDP which is certain of continuity in the State and hopeful of taking over leadership at the centre (Presidency).
In Benue South Senatorial District, there are four Federal Constituencies which include, Oju/Obi, Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo, Otukpo/Ohimini and Apa/Agatu Federal Constituencies.

Three out of the four Federal Constituencies had produced Deputy Governor in Benue State, exception of Apa/Agatu.

1. In Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, late Prince Ogri Ajene became Deputy Governor during Sen. George Akume regime.

2. Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo produced Chief Stephen Lawani as Deputy Governor during Sen. Suswam tenure.

3. Otukpo/Ohimini axis is currently occupying the position of Deputy Governor in person of H.E Engnr Benson Abounu who is deputizing Gov. Samuel Ortom the Executive Governor of Benue State at the moment.

It is obvious that Apa/Agatu should and will produce the next Deputy Governor of Benue State in fairness by God’s grace. This is an undisputable fact with all due respect to our leaders.

When Late Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, was on the throne as Och’Idoma the 4th, Benue had Chief Steven Lawani from Ogbadibo as Deputy Governor, the same Local Government with the late Paramount Ruler of Idoma kingdom, because the position of Och’Idoma does not affect anything of such as traditional institution differs from Political offices or positions. It is pertinent to lay that background so that people, especially the literate ones should understand the angle Iam coming from. To say it point and blank, it is very much in order for Agatu to produce the next Deputy Governor of Benue State without any hinderance for any reason.

Though a time will come, which I believe, that the Governor will call for meeting of Party stakeholders most especially from Apa/Agatu axis aside other stakeholders, to meet with them on who should be selected as the number two citizen of Benue State. At that time, the two Local Government will point out some key Positions such as SSG and other key Positions being held or occupied in the past by one of the two Local Government Areas (Apa to be precised) and the need for Apa to give Agatu the previlege to produce the next Deputy Governor come 2023. Until then, I stand with my constituency to produce the next Deputy Governor of Benue State. When that is done, the Federal Constituencies from Zone C would have had the Deputy Governor’s position round and our people can agitate more aggressively for “Zone C Governor”, come 2030 since the 8 years tenure of Governor Titus Uba will elapse within that period.