Dr. Ngutor Anyam, a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State, has described the insistence on a two-term mandate for the next governor as "political dishonesty," arguing it violates a previously agreed-upon zoning arrangement. Speaking to journalists in Makurdi, Dr. Anyam stated that supporting the SDP’s gubernatorial candidate, Prof. Sebastine Hon, in the 2027 general elections would be an act of fairness and justice.
According to Dr. Anyam, stakeholders in the "Benue project" resolved prior to the current administration’s election that the mandate should be given to the Jechira zone, specifically Vandeikya, to complete the truncated tenure of the late Rev. Fr. Adasu, who was removed from office by a military junta. He explained that this resolution was based on the principle that all blocks within the Tiv community had already secured their respective terms, and with the last occupant from Zone A, it is now the turn of Zone B, specifically Gboko, to produce the next governor.
Dr. Anyam outlined the historical context of the zoning agreement, noting that Zone A began the contest with Aper Aku, who served from 1979 to 1983. Although his tenure was truncated, he was re-elected in 1983 and sworn in for a second term. He further cited Gabriel Suswam of Sankera, who was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. In Zone B, Senator George Akume ruled from 1999 to 2007, and Governor Samuel Ortom served two terms from 2015 to 2023. Following Ortom’s tenure, stakeholders agreed that the ticket would move back to Zone A, with the emerging candidate serving only one term to complete Adasu’s mandate.
"Insisting on two terms by anybody to disregard the already settled arrangement is political dishonesty," Dr. Anyam stated.
The SDP chieftain also addressed claims that the next governor from Zone B should come from Buruku, describing such views as "politically ignorant of history." He recalled that Buruku people were initially given the opportunity to produce a governor through the late William Moze, who became incapacitated after an accident. This incident led to the Tarka people requesting a loan, which Buruku honored, resulting in the emergence of Senator George Akume, who served two terms. Dr. Anyam argued that Buruku can only claim the governorship when it is the turn of Tarka to pay back this political loan, asserting that the rightful candidate favored by the current "Ya Na Angbiam" (eat and give your brother) principle should come from Gboko, Prof. Hon’s home area.
Dr. Anyam emphasized that Tiv Ruling Houses respect the "Ya Na Angbiam" principle, noting that if the issue were strictly about geographic zoning, Benue South ought to be more favored for the 2027 governorship. He appealed to politicians to respect agreements regardless of the situation to prevent overheating the polity and to ensure peace reigns in the system.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
