Benue State is scheduled to celebrate its 50th anniversary of founding in February 2026.
But for the Idoma people of Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C), the anniversary is a time for both joy and introspection.
No Idoma individual has ever been elected governor of Benue State, fifty years after the state was split off from the former Benue-Plateau State under the military rule of the late General Murtala Mohammed.
The Idoma, the second-largest ethnic community in the state, have long harbored deep-seated feelings of political marginalization, exclusion, and unfairness as a result of this fact.
The long-running agitation has resurfaced with newfound urgency as the 2027 governorship election draws near, compelling political players and stakeholders to address a topic that many claim Benue has ignored for decades: can an Idoma person finally become the state’s most important citizen?
Since Benue State was established in 1976, Tiv-speaking regions have maintained a tight hold on the highest levels of political power.
Aper Aku (1979–1983), a Tiv man from Ikyobo in Ushongo Local Government Area, was the first elected governor under the civilian rule.
On January 2, 1992, Very Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, a fellow Tiv from Konshisha LGA’s Shangev-Tiev area, was elected governor of Benue State on the platform of the Social Democratic Party.
Following General Sani Abacha’s military takeover in November 1993, he resigned from his position.
The pattern has continued since the return to democracy in 1999, with Tiv-dominated Zones A and B producing George Akume from 1999 to 2007, Gabriel Suswam from 2007 to 2015, Samuel Ortom from 2015 to 2023, and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia from 2023 to the present.
This unbroken chain of leadership has become the main complaint of many Idoma leaders, who are calling for political inclusiveness and power rotation.
The sentiment was once summed up by retired military officer and Idoma land elder statesman Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga (rtd), who stated that the Idoma people have never been given the chance to elect a governor since Benue State was established almost 50 years ago and that this ongoing exclusion cannot last forever.
“In my opinion, Benue needs to try a ldoma governor to see if it will improve the fortunes of the state, as the Tiv governors from 1999 till now have not improved the developmental fortunes of the state,” says Ejiga.
He bemoaned the fact that Benue, despite all of its potential, was still Nigeria’s least developed state.
In the lead-up to the 2023 elections, General Ejiga issued a warning: “The unjust deprivation of the Ldoma people from leadership is bound to create insecurity in the state as very soon the Ldoma youths will revolt creating a massive problem for the Tiv governors and the federal government will be called to help.”
This marginalization is known to even the Tiv people.
Elder statesman Wantaregh Paul Unongo emphasized the necessity of an Idoma governor in Benue State prior to his passing.
According to him, this would promote harmony and closer ties between the state’s three senatorial districts.
At a stakeholders’ emergency meeting in Makurdi in June 2018, Unongo stated, “I would like to see Benue people continue as one united people, so I would say to Governor Samuel Ortom to consider selecting the next governor from Idoma land at the completion of his tenure: that will give credence to our unity as a state.”
Gurgur Japheth, a political analyst and administrator from a Tiv-speaking region, blamed internal division rather than outside forces for the Idoma people’s persistent failure to elect a governor in Benue State.
Indeed, according to the 1999 agreement, the governorship was scheduled to move to Zone C by 2007. Japheth said, “I was one of those who insisted that this should take place.”
“Power is never given; it is always taken.” Additionally, cooperation, consultation, and success-oriented math must be used instead of coercion.
Japheth clarified that the primary barrier had always been internal.
“Zone C is its own enemy. I always referred to the argument made by some that it should be a two-person program as a kindergarten statement. He stated, “Everyone knew it was Zone C’s turn, but some candidates refused to step down or streamline support, dividing votes and weakening our chances.”
Structural disadvantage and the politics of numbers
Demography has historically influenced Benue politics.
The Tiv ethnic group dominates 14 local government areas in Zones A and B and makes up the bulk of the state’s population.
Without broad partnerships, the Idoma people, who are concentrated in nine local government areas in Zone C, lack the numerical power to win statewide elections.
According to Thomas Ker, a political consultant in Makurdi, Benue politics has always been about party structure and numbers rather than zoning, which has constantly worked against the Idoma.
“Opponents of zoning have frequently used this demographic reality to argue that governorship should remain open to any zone that can mobilize votes statewide,” he stated.
Idoma candidates that attempted but were unsuccessful
Idoma politicians have made numerous attempts to break the gubernatorial ceiling despite the institutional disadvantage.
Chief Mike Onoja, Steve Lawani, Jerry Agada, Abba Moro, Ralph Igbago, and other prominent Idoma candidates expressed interest in running in 2006, but none of them were able to clinch a major party ticket.
In truth, Onoja was on the verge of winning the PDP ticket, but when the election was tied, his relatives betrayed him by giving their votes to Suswam.
That is still the closest the Idoma people have been to winning the governorship.
Gabriel Suswam received the PDP ticket, won the election, and was re-elected in 2011.
Steve Lawani, the deputy governor at the time, ran for the PDP ticket in 2015, but Terhemen Tarzor ultimately won it and lost to APC candidate Samuel Ortom.
In 2019, Ortom was elected to a second term.
Idoma and then-deputy governor Benson Abounu ran in 2023, but Titus Uba won the primary and he was unable to secure the party ticket.
Only Ogbadibo and Otukpo LGA supported Abounu; delegates from other Benue South LGAs voted against him.
Agitation for zoning to Benue South grew more intense in 2023, but major parties withdrew and a number of Idoma candidates ran under smaller parties, splitting the vote. Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of the APC won.
Anger at the current administration has increased.
Many stakeholders have claimed that their sense of marginalization has increased under the current administration, citing what they called “lopsided governance patterns,” even though the Idoma agitation predates the current administration.
Complaints of exclusion have increased in the local government areas of Otukpo, Ogbadibo, Apa, Agatu, Ado, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Obi, and Oju.
The perceived disparity in political appointments and employment is one of the most persistent complaints.
The Idoma people’s lack of togetherness
The Idoma people have found it difficult to unite behind a single platform in order to generate a consensus candidate over the years.
Several candidates from Idoma-speaking regions frequently refuse to resign or come to an agreement on a single candidate during party primaries. The Tiv people get a political advantage as a result of this schism, which splits the votes.
Benue South Elders Forum member Noah Mc’Dickson attributed the Idoma people’s frequent election losses to political division.
“As I have always said, we are largely the cause of our own problems,” Mc’Dickson stated in an interview.
“The strength of the party platform, the individual’s personality, and the people’s unity of purpose are the three factors that determine electoral success.”
“What happened in 2006 remains a painful memory…about six Idoma aspirants emerged,” he remarked, recalling previous setbacks. A few of us suggested that they reach a consensus, but they were unable to do so. In the end, we split our strength while the other two zones each provided one applicant.
Despite endorsements, Mc’Dickson pointed out that the same pattern of internal disagreements recurred in 2015 and even in the most recent election.
He emphasized that the Idoma has been harmed by political division along party lines:
Nowadays, people only consider politics from a party perspective. We will have an edge if we band together and behind a candidate from our area,” he said.
“We need to organize political summits to promote political enlightenment and education,” he proposed. Benue South will be able to elect a governor in 2027 once we have that unity. We can’t give up. The key is still unity.
The story of exclusion has been enhanced by the voices of pro-inclusion organizations.
Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Monday Morgan (rtd), a former Chief of Defense Intelligence and National Coordinator of the Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM), stated at a recent political event in Abuja that Idoma people are not a part of the political equation in the Benue APC and described what he called persistent sidelining as unacceptable.
He clarified that although this hasn’t yet produced the intended political results, the Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM) has been in communication with Tiv leaders for years, promoting a chance for the Idoma to rule Benue State.
Kennedy Angbo’s position and controversy
Zone C elected leaders have also participated in the discussion.
The Benue State House of Assembly member for Otukpo/Akpa State Constituency, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, has expressed a viewpoint that has garnered a lot of attention.
Angbo publicly declared that he does not see an Idoma governor in 2027, contending that the agitation should be postponed until 2031 and that the current governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, should be given a second term before contemplating a transfer of power to Zone C.
Many have criticized his position, viewing it as a betrayal of Zone C interests.
The position of the government
Claims of ethnic bias have been denied by administration officials, who maintain that policy interests, security concerns, and resource constraints—rather than tribal sentiment—are the driving forces behind governance decisions.
According to a government source, the governor is in charge of Benue State as a whole, and projects are being carried out across zones with appointments made on the basis of trust and competence.
2027: Is it possible for history to alter?
A new generation of well-known Idoma leaders is now rising, presenting a challenge to unity as well as optimism.
Approximately five people from Benue South have expressed interest in the top spot thus far.
Madaki Ameh, a lawyer and grassroots political activist running on the PDP ticket, is one of them.
Owukpa resident Tony Obekpa is vying for the APC ticket, along with Oyeije Ocheakiti Ogbenjuwa and reputable technocrat Andrew Abah.
Speaking about the possibility of the Idoma delivering a governor in 2027, candidate Arc Tony Obekpa emphasized the importance of community cohesion.
“I am not entering the race to look for a position,” Obekpa informed our reporter, indicating that his goal is not selfish. I’m running for a ticket to run for governor.
“I’m not a candidate for deputy governor. I’ll return to my construction site if they don’t issue me the ticket. I work as an architect. I’ll build my homes, mix concrete, and provide for my family.
“I am not blackmailing anyone,” he continued, adding that his campaign is based on dedication and service. However, I am aware of my duty if we are called in early to save the party. I should be one of the first two members of the APC if you want two. I am aware of the amount I spent. I am aware of my participation.
Analysts concurred that a number of conditions must be met for an Idoma governor to be elected in 2027, including cooperation among Idoma elites, obtaining a major party ticket, forming strategic alliances among Tiv territories, and engaging in negotiation as opposed to emotional agitation. History might repeat itself in the absence of these.
Currently,
After fifty years…
The Idoma’s pursuit of the governorship has evolved beyond a mere political aspiration as Benue celebrates its 50th anniversary. It has to do with trust in the Benue project, equity, and belonging.
It’s unclear if 2027 will bring an end to the protracted wait. But it is evident that the anxiety is becoming more intense rather than lessening.
