Francis Ottah, Oglegba, others under fire for endorsing Tinubu, Alia amid billings in Idoma land

A political activist, Comrade Daniel Okpe Ejembi, has criticised the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for a second term by some All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders in Benue South, accusing them of prioritising politics over the worsening security situation in the zone.

IDOMA VOICE reports that more than 200 APC stakeholders from Benue South recently met in Otukpo, where they pledged bloc votes for Tinubu and Alia in the 2027 general elections, citing infrastructure projects, salary payments, water schemes and political appointments as evidence of what they described as purposeful leadership.

However, reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Ejembi described the endorsement as “political bargaining with the blood of our people,” arguing that the stakeholders failed to acknowledge the persistent killings, kidnappings and displacement of residents across Benue South.

He questioned why the communiqué issued after the meeting, and signed by prominent APC leaders including Chief Michael Oglegba, Engr. Ugwu Odo, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri and Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, did not contain any condemnation of the recurring attacks in the zone.

“The timing is insulting,” Ejembi said, noting that while the stakeholders were quick to rally support for the 2027 elections, they had not jointly addressed the worsening insecurity affecting communities in Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Ado, Oju, Obi and parts of Gwer West.

According to him, the same leaders had never issued a joint communiqué, addressed a press conference or organised a collective action demanding improved security for Benue South.

“They have never jointly condemned the killings or kidnappings. Their unity only appears when 2027 and political appointments are involved,” he stated.

Ejembi further argued that while developmental projects such as roads, primary healthcare centres and water schemes were commendable, they could not compensate for the loss of lives and livelihoods caused by insecurity.

“You cannot pay salaries with one hand and clap while your people are being killed with the other, then call it purposeful leadership,” he said. 

He also dismissed the stakeholders’ praise of appointments given to indigenes of Benue South, insisting that political representation was meaningless without adequate protection for residents.

“Appointments are not security. Representation without protection is decoration,” he added.

The activist called for a united public condemnation of every killing and kidnapping in Benue South by the same stakeholders, measurable security commitments for all local government areas in the district, as well as justice and compensation for victims’ families.

He maintained that until such steps were taken, the endorsement would remain “empty” and would send the message that politics mattered more than the lives of the people.

“Zone C deserves leaders who will speak for us when the guns are firing, not only when the ballots are coming,” Ejembi said.