2027: Benue South left in the cold as major parties hand tickets to Tiv aspirants

The political equation ahead of the 2027 Benue governorship election appears to have taken a dramatic turn as the three major political parties in the state have reportedly settled for Tiv candidates, leaving many stakeholders in Benue South questioning the future of the Idoma governorship agitation.

With the emergence of Governor Hyacinth Alia as the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag bearer, former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, flying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ticket, and former House of Representatives member, Herman Hembe, leading the African Democratic Congress, ADC, primary race, political observers say the chances of an Idoma candidate emerging governor in 2027 have become increasingly slim.

IDOMA VOICE reports that since the creation of Benue State in 1976, no Idoma person has been elected number one citizen of the state.

The latest development has sparked widespread debate across Benue South, where many believe the long-standing clamour for power shift to the Idoma-speaking axis has again suffered a major setback.

Unless there is a major political realignment before the general election, Benue South may have to wait until 2031 for another realistic opportunity at producing a governor.

The situation has also reignited conversations around equity, zoning and ethnic balance in Benue politics, with some stakeholders describing the outcome as another sign of Tiv dominance in the state’s political structure.

Reacting to the development, an Idoma youth leader, Onoja Ogbole, said the outcome of the primaries had deepened feelings of marginalisation among the people of Benue South.

“For years, Idoma people have supported different political parties with the hope that power would eventually rotate to Zone C, but what we are seeing again is a complete shutdown of that aspiration,” he said.

Another stakeholder, Mrs. Agatha Adakole, described the emergence of Tiv candidates across the major parties as “a painful political reality” for many Idoma people.

“We are not saying Tiv people should not contest, but fairness and equity are important in a multi-ethnic state like Benue. Many young Idoma people feel disappointed,” she stated.

However, supporters of the various candidates insist competence, popularity and political experience should take precedence over ethnic sentiments.

A chieftain of the APC in Makurdi, Terna Iorpev, argued that elections should not be reduced to ethnic considerations alone.

“What Benue needs now is competence and capacity. Leadership should not be based solely on where a candidate comes from. The people should be allowed to choose who they believe can govern effectively,” he said.

Similarly, a PDP supporter, Samuel Ukeyima, insisted that governance should be driven by performance rather than zoning arrangements.

“At the end of the day, voters are interested in security, development and good governance. Ethnicity should not overshadow competence,” he added.

Meanwhile, political observers believe the debate over zoning and power rotation is likely to intensify as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum across the state.