Benue South politicians have reduced governance to ‘stomach infrastructure’ – Ejembi

Comrade Daniel Okpe Ejembi has criticised the political leadership in Benue South Senatorial District, accusing politicians in the area of prioritising what he described as “stomach infrastructure” over meaningful development and the welfare of the people.

Ejembi, in a statement titled, “The Politics of Benue, Especially Zone C: Stomach Infrastructure Over People,” lamented that despite Benue State’s abundant agricultural and natural resources, residents continue to grapple with insecurity, poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

According to him, politics in Benue South, also known as Zone C, has largely shifted from service-oriented leadership to a system where politicians allegedly rely on cash and food distribution to gain political support.

He claimed that town hall meetings and political campaigns were increasingly centred on the distribution of rice and small amounts of money rather than discussions on security, education, healthcare, roads and job creation.

“In Zone C, the major game most politicians play is ‘stomach infrastructure.’ Town hall meetings become rice and ₦2,000 sharing events.

“Campaigns are not about schools, hospitals, roads, or security. They are about who can mobilise the most youths to carry banners and who can ‘settle’ the elders.

“Once the election is over, the people are abandoned until the next election cycle,” he alleged.

Ejembi also expressed concern over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue South, particularly attacks on communities, destruction of farmlands, killings and displacement of residents.

He accused some political leaders of failing to provide adequate responses to the security challenges confronting their constituents.

“Zone C has been bleeding for years. Communities are attacked, farms are destroyed, mothers are widowed, children are displaced.

“Yet the response from many of our so-called leaders has been press releases and condolence visits,” he said.

The activist further alleged that the political system in Benue South was dominated by influential political figures whom he accused of determining the emergence of candidates rather than allowing the electorate to freely determine their representatives.

Ejembi also questioned what he described as conflicting political alliances involving former Benue State APC chairman, Austin Agada, Senator Abba Moro and President Bola Tinubu.

“The same godfather backing Austin Agada is the one now endorsing Abba Moro, and at the same time endorsing the failed government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the centre.

“It’s the same pattern: protect each other, share power among yourselves, and sell the future of Benue people for federal appointments and contracts,” he alleged.

He argued that political alignment with the Federal Government should translate into tangible development for communities in Benue South.

According to him, residents should be able to point to industries, roads, improved security and other developmental projects arising from such political relationships.

“They will tell you ‘we are in government at the centre’ as if that has brought one new industry, one new road, or one day of peace to Otukpo, Apa, Agatu, or Ado.

“Endorsement has replaced performance. Loyalty to Abuja has replaced loyalty to Benue,” he said.

Ejembi further accused some politicians of supporting government policies despite the economic difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians, particularly rising food costs and insecurity.

He called on residents of Benue South to reject politics based on handouts and instead demand accountable leadership and sustainable development.

“Benue people are tired. We are tired of leaders who only remember us during elections. We are tired of godfathers who treat Zone C like their private estate. We are tired of endorsing failure and calling it strategy.

“If Benue must survive, especially Zone C, we must dismantle this kind of politics. We must reject stomach infrastructure and demand real infrastructure: security, roads, jobs, and accountable leadership.

“We must stop allowing a few men to decide our fate in hotel rooms.

“Our people deserve leaders who will fight for them, not leaders who are fighting to secure their own stomachs,” Ejembi stated.