Onjeh vs Ottah: ‘Tiv man cannot decide Idoma senator’ — Ortom ex-aide, Yemi Itodo

“A Tiv Man Cannot Decide Idoma Senator” — Ortom’s Ex-Aide, Yemi Itodo, Reacts to Benue South APC Crisis

A former aide to ex-Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Yemi Itodo, has reacted to the growing controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Benue South, insisting that no Tiv politician should determine who emerges as the party’s candidate in Idoma land.

Itodo’s reaction comes amid rising tension within the APC following allegations of attempts by some party stakeholders outside Benue South to influence the choice of the party’s senatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

The controversy escalated after former APC senatorial candidate, Daniel Onjeh, openly rejected what he described as attempts to impose a preferred aspirant on the zone.

Onjeh had earlier alleged that some influential individuals around the Benue State Government were involved in manipulating the process ahead of the primary election.

In a statement issued after a meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia, Onjeh  “Even more ridiculous is the claim by some aspirants that somebody is the anointed candidate. The person [Ottah] came solely to APC without a single follower from his former party PDP and hopes to reap where he did not sow,” he said. 

Reacting to the development, Yemi Itodo said although former lawmaker Francis Ottah Agbo remained his friend, it would be unfair for a Tiv politician sitting in Makurdi to decide who becomes senator for the Idoma people.

“Fight don start for APC,” Itodo wrote.

“But if that is the truth, then it’s very unfair for a Tiv man to sit in Makurdi and decide who is the senator of Idoma nation, even though Hon. Ottah is my very good friend.”

He argued that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through a transparent primary election instead of alleged external influence.

“I would rather suggest they test their popularity at the poll, and if it must be consensus, let Idoma and Igede elders be the ones to sit at the meeting in Otukpo with other aspirants and settle it,” he added.

Itodo further questioned the political wisdom behind allowing outsiders to determine APC candidates in Benue South.

“If a Tiv man sits in Makurdi and dictates candidates for the APC in Idoma land, will he leave his village and come and deliver them during general elections conducted by INEC?” he queried.

The APC senatorial race in Benue South has become one of the most closely watched contests in the state, with leading aspirants including Daniel Onjeh, Francis Ottah Agbo, Nelson Alapa, Joe Ojobo, Patrick Ojechema Idoko and Oloche Agidani battling for the party’s ticket.