ADC Zones state chairmanship to Benue Zone B amid rising calls for Idoma Governor

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State has zoned its state chairmanship position to Zone B, a move seen as a strategic political balancing act amid growing agitation for an Idoma governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

The decision followed the submission of a report by a seven-member zoning committee, constituted by the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) on March 23, 2026, to ensure equitable distribution of State Executive Committee (EXCO) positions across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The committee, inaugurated at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi, was mandated to propose a zoning formula that reflects inclusiveness, coalition balance, and internal party democracy, following guidance from the party’s national leadership after a peace accord meeting in Abuja.

According to the committee’s report, the State Chairman position went to Zone B, while the State Secretary was zoned to Zone C. In total, 18 executive positions were equally distributed across the three zones, with each receiving six offices.

Under the zoning arrangement, Zone B secured:

State Chairman (ADC)
Organizing Secretary (ADC)
Auditor (PDP)
Publicity Secretary (LP)
Coordinator INEC/Electoral Matters (APGA)
Vice Chairman (APC)

Political analysts say the decision is significant, as Zone B largely represents Idoma-speaking communities, where calls for a shift in governorship power have intensified. The allocation of the chairmanship to this zone is seen as a move to strengthen its bargaining position ahead of 2027.

The zoning committee was chaired by Cdre Joseph Zumve (rtd), with Hon. Friday Ochigbo as secretary. Other members included Hon. Terlumun O. Ankyese, Mrs. Lucy Fadumila Onyekwu, Hon. Ayosu Ikyor Sylvester, Hon. Terungwa Achiligh, and Hon. Iorliam Manasseh, representing various political tendencies within the coalition, including ADC, APC, LP, APGA, and PDP.

The committee adopted an equity-driven formula, ensuring that each senatorial district received six positions, while the party’s National Working Committee directive was respected, maintaining at least 30 percent of executive positions for ADC across the zones.

Zone A was allocated posts including Deputy Chairman, Youth Leader, Treasurer, and Chief Whip, while Zone C received State Secretary, Woman Leader, Legal Adviser, and Financial Secretary, among others.

Party insiders indicate the zoning was also influenced by the national leadership’s strong presence in Zone C, making it politically expedient to allocate the chairmanship to Zone B to maintain balance and coalition cohesion.

Reacting to the development, State Chairman Hon. Celestine Orbunde urged party members to prioritize unity and respect the zoning arrangement, describing it as a mechanism to promote fairness, representation, and due process.