2027: Idoma hope fades as ADC eyes Tiv governorship candidate

Fresh tension has enveloped the governorship race within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State ahead of the party’s governorship primary scheduled for tomorrow, following alleged moves by some party stakeholders to deny Benue South the ticket.

The development is already raising concerns among supporters of the Idoma governorship aspiration, especially as Peter Adejoh, an Idoma son from Ogbadibo, is widely regarded as one of the frontrunners in the race.

IDOMA VOICE observed that Adejoh has, in recent months, gained significant momentum across the state through consultations, grassroots mobilisation and political alliances, placing him in a strong position ahead of the primary.

His emergence had renewed hope among many people in Benue South, also known as Zone C, that the ADC could eventually produce a governorship candidate from the Idoma-speaking area after other leading political parties in the state settled for aspirants from Tiv-speaking zones.

However, fresh political manoeuvres within the party are reportedly threatening that expectation, with indications that some influential members of the ADC are pushing to impose a former National Assembly member from the Tiv-speaking area as the party’s governorship candidate.

The alleged move has sparked anxiety among many stakeholders in Zone C, who fear that another opportunity for the Idoma people to produce a candidate in a major political party may slip away through last-minute political calculations.

The controversy is also generating debate because the situation is unfolding under the leadership of former Senate President, David Mark, an Idoma elder statesman who currently serves as the national chairman of the ADC.

Many supporters of the Idoma governorship project are reportedly questioning how attempts to deny Benue South the ADC ticket could happen under the watch of one of the most prominent Idoma political leaders in the country.

At the moment, the party has yet to officially announce any consensus arrangement or zoning decision; tension continues to build within political circles as stakeholders await tomorrow’s governorship primary.