Idoma Community Resumes Struggle for Benue Governorship After 50 Years

Benue State will commemorate its 50th anniversary of founding in February 2026, a milestone that is anticipated to be observed throughout the state.

On the other hand, the anniversary is both a time of celebration and introspection for the Idoma people of Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C).

No Idoma individual has ever been elected governor of Benue State, fifty years after the state was separated from the former Benue-Plateau State under the military rule of the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed.

The Idoma, the second-largest ethnic community in the state, have long harbored deep-seated feelings of political marginalization, exclusion, and unfairness due to this situation.

The long-running movement has resurfaced with increasing urgency as the 2027 governorship election draws near, compelling political players and stakeholders to face an issue that many claim Benue has dodged for decades: can an Idoma person eventually become the state’s most important citizen?

Since Benue State was established in 1976, Tiv-speaking regions have maintained a tight hold on political power at the highest level.

Aper Aku (1979–1983), a Tiv man from Ikyobo in the 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 Shangev-Tiev area in Konshisha LGA, 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 government.

With George Akume serving 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—all from Tiv-dominated Zones A and B—the pattern has continued since the return to democracy in 1999.

This unbroken chain of command has become the main complaint of many Idoma leaders, who are calling for political inclusion and power rotation.

Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga (rtd), a retired military officer and elder statesman from Idoma land, once summed up the sentiment by stating that the Idoma people have never had the chance to elect a governor since Benue State was established almost 50 years ago and that this ongoing exclusion cannot last forever.

In Ejiga’s words, “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.”

He bemoaned Benue’s continued status as Nigeria’s least developed state despite all of its potential.

In the run-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 not unknown to the Tiv people.

Elder statesman Wantaregh Paul Unongo emphasized the necessity of having an Idoma governor in Benue State prior to his passing.

According to him, this would promote harmony and closer relationships amongst the state’s three senatorial districts.

During 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 strife rather than outside influences for the Idoma people’s persistent failure to elect a governor in Benue State.

Indeed, in 2006, the governorship was expected to move to Zone C by 2007 according on the 1999 agreement. Japheth said, “I was one of those who insisted that this should take place.

“Power is never given; it is always taken. Additionally, the taking must be accomplished with cooperation, consultation, and successful math rather than by coercion.

Japheth stated that internal issues had always been the primary barrier.

Zone C itself is its adversary. I always referred to the argument made by some that it ought to be a two-person program as a kindergarten statement. He stated, “Everyone knew it was Zone C’s turn, but some candidates refused to resign or unify support, dividing votes and weakening our chances.”

Numerical politics and structural disadvantage

Demographics have 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 coalitions, 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 have always been about numbers and party structure 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 said.

Aspirants to Idoma who attempted but failed

Idoma politicians have made several 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 obtain a major party ticket.

In truth, Onoja came very close to winning the PDP ticket, but when the election was tied, his relatives betrayed him by giving their votes to Suswam.

That continues to be the Idoma people’s closest chance of gaining the governorship.

Gabriel Suswam, who won the election and was re-elected in 2011, received the PDP ticket.

Steve Lawani, the deputy governor at the time, ran for the PDP ticket in 2015, but Terhemen Tarzor ultimately won it, and APC candidate Samuel Ortom defeated him.

In 2019, Ortom was elected again for a second term.

Titus Uba won the primary in 2023, and Benson Abounu, an Idoma and the deputy governor at the time, ran but was unable to secure the party ticket.

Only Ogbadibo and Otukpo LGA voted for 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 lesser parties, splitting the vote. The APC’s Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia 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 government.

Complaints of exclusion have increased in the local government districts of Otukpo, Ogbadibo, Apa, Agatu, Ado, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Obi, and Oju.

The perceived disparity in political employment and appointments is one of the most persistent complaints.

The Idoma people are not united.

The Idoma people have had difficulty uniting on a single platform over the years in order to create a consensus candidate.

Several candidates from Idoma-speaking regions frequently refuse to resign or come to a consensus on a single candidate during party primaries. The Tiv people get a political edge as a result of this schism, which splits the votes.

Benue South Elders Forum member Noah Mc’Dickson attributed the Idoma people’s repeated electoral losses to political division.

“As I have always said, we are largely the cause of our own problems,” Mc’Dickson added.

“The strength of the party platform, the individual’s personality, and the unity of purpose among the people are the three factors that determine electoral success.”

“What happened in 2006 remains a painful memory…about six Idoma aspirants emerged,” he remarked, recalling earlier setbacks. A few of us suggested that they come to a consensus, but they were unable to do so. In the end, we split our strength while the other two zones each put forward one candidate.

Despite endorsements, Mc’Dickson pointed out that the same pattern of internal disagreements reappeared in 2015 and even in the most recent election.

He emphasized that the Idoma has been hampered by political division along party lines:

“People now only consider politics from a party perspective. We will have an advantage if we band together and behind a candidate from our area, he said.

“To promote political enlightenment and education, we need to organize political summits,” he proposed. Benue South will be able to provide the governor in 2027 once we have that unity. We have to persevere. The secret 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 National Coordinator of the Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM) and former Chief of Defense Intelligence, stated at a recent political event in Abuja that the Idoma people are not a part of the political equation in the Benue APC and called the ongoing marginalization 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 an opportunity for the Idoma to rule Benue State.

Kennedy Angbo’s position and dispute

Zone C elected officials have also participated in the discussion.

The Benue State House of Assembly representative 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 discussing a transfer of power to Zone C.

Many have criticized his position, believing it to be a betrayal of Zone C interests.

The stance of government

Claims of ethnic bias have been denied by government officials, who maintain that policy priorities, security concerns, and resource constraints—rather than tribal sentiment—drive 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 based on trust and competency.

2027: Will history be altered?

A fresh generation of well-known Idoma leaders is now rising, presenting a challenge to unity as well as promise.

Approximately five Benue South residents have expressed interest in the top spot thus far.

Madaki Ameh, a lawyer and grassroots political activist who is running on the PDP ticket, is one of them.

Owukpa resident Tony Obekpa is vying for the APC ticket; acclaimed technocrat Andrew Abah is also running, as is Oyeije Ocheakiti Ogbenjuwa.

Speaking on the likelihood that the Idoma will produce a governor in 2027, candidate Arc Tony Obekpa emphasized the need of community cohesion.

“I am not entering the race to look for a position,” Obekpa informed our reporter, making it clear that his goal is not selfish. My goal is to be granted a ticket to run for governor.

“I’m not a deputy governor candidate. I shall return to my construction site if they refuse to issue me the ticket. As an architect, I am. I’ll construct my homes, mix concrete, and provide for my family.

“I am not blackmailing anyone,” he continued, stating that his campaign is based on dedication and service. However, I am aware of my responsibility if we are called in early to save the celebration. I should be one of the first two people in the APC if you want two. I am aware of my expenditures. I am aware of my role.

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 partnerships among Tiv territories, and engaging in discussion rather than emotional agitation. Without them, history might be repeated.

In the present,

After fifty years,

The Idoma’s pursuit of the governorship has evolved beyond a political aspiration as Benue celebrates its 50th anniversary. Belonging, equity, and faith in the Benue project are at issue.

It’s unclear if the protracted wait will ultimately end in 2027. But it’s evident that the agitation is getting louder rather than lessening.