2027: ‘Nobody will campaign against Alia in Otukpo’ — Tiv Youth Leader, Gbenda draws battle line with APC opposition

A Tiv youth leader, Hon. Terver Gbenda, has warned against what he described as attempts to campaign against Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia in Otukpo, declaring that the people of the area should resist such political activities.

Gbenda, who is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alia, made the remarks during a gathering in Otukpo, where he called on youths and other stakeholders to support the governor and his administration.

He said anyone coming to Otukpo to insult the governor or President Bola Tinubu should not be allowed to do so.

“This is not a threat. But if anybody is against Father Alia here—” Gbenda said, after which members of the audience responded in support.

He also challenged those criticising the administration to present their scorecard and explain what they had done for Otukpo and Zone C.

“Where is your scorecard in Zone C? What have you done in Otukpo and Zone C at large before you come here to insult the Governor and insult the President?” he asked.

Gbenda urged Benue youths, Zone C youths and Otukpo youths to work with stakeholders supporting the governor to resist what he described as attempts to mislead the people.

“Let’s stand together with all the people who are working with the Governor in Otukpo to resist this kind of thing. Let’s resist this,” he said.

He further called on the people to support candidates aligned with the governor, saying, “Let’s vote for them and let’s work with them.”

Gbenda also warned political actors against coming to Otukpo to campaign and “deceive” the people.

“From today henceforth, let’s not allow anybody to come to Otukpo and deceive us again,” he said.

The remarks have, however, drawn a strong reaction from the OchetohaK’Idoma Youth Wing Worldwide, which accused the governor’s aide of threatening and insulting Idoma youths in their own land. The group has demanded a public apology from Gbenda and said it would consider political mobilisation against the administration if the demand is not met.

The group’s President, Comrade Magaji Mike Alidu, said “Zone C is not a conquered territory” and insisted that Idoma youths would not be intimidated by any political office holder.

The OchetohaK’Idoma Youth Wing has previously taken public positions on issues affecting Otukpo and Benue South