From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Coalition of political groups under the auspices of Benue Liberation Movement(BLM), has passionately appealed to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel as well as other stakeholders to Zone the 2027 Governorship position to Kwande Intermediate bloc, comprises of Kwande and Ushongo local government areas of the State.
The coalition group however noted that having painstakingly listened to the agitations, arguments, and counterarguments from the Jechira, Kwande, and indeed, the Jemgbagh intermediate areas of the state, they are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the Kwande people have a genuine case and should be allowed to occupy the position come 2027.
The association insisted that the call is not based on tribal or ethnic sentiments, as none of them is from the Kwande Intermediate area,
Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi held on Tuesday, spokesman of the group, Mr. Leonard Ikyem, said it is their firm belief that the request will be granted in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice as the tenure of late Governor Aper Aku was truncated which significantly caused a setback for Kwande Intermediate area.
He maintained that allowing the Kwande people to complete their term would be a chance to fulfill the mandate of the people and build on Aku’s legacy, adding that Jechira intermediate area was given the same opportunity in 2023 and Kwande’s case should not be different.
“We wish to appeal to Senator Dr. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Leader of the APC in Benue, Chief Samuel Ortom, the immediate past Governor of Benue State and Leader of the PDP in the State, as well as other stakeholders, opinion leaders, and leaders of all political parties in the state, to zone the 2027 Governorship position to Kwande.
“It is worthy of note that the Kwande intermediate area, comprising Ushongo and Kwande local government areas, produced the first civilian governor of the state, who served only four years, whereas the Jemgbagh, Sankera, and MINDA intermediate areas had their eight-year successful tenures.
“Giving Kwande the governorship in 2027 would rectify this historical imbalance.
“The Jechira intermediate area, comprising Vandeikya and Konshisha, enjoyed a similar gesture in 2023 when all the political parties collectively zoned the governorship position to the area in compensation for the truncated Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu administration”, he alluded.
Ikyem also argued that for fairness and equity, since other Tivland geo-political blocks have had two terms, Kwande should be given a chance to lead in 2027 so as to promote balance and fairness in Benue political landscape.
According to him, by the time Alia finishes his tenure in May 2027, the Jechira people would have served six years on that seat, considering the years the late Adasu spent on the seat together with the four years of Governor Alia, insisting that any attempt to add additional four years to the Jechira people will take the tally to 10 years for Jechira and 4 years for Kwande.
“Kwande has sons and daughters with the relevant experience and capacity to take Benue State to a higher level of development that will surpass the record of Aku, who has been rated the best Governor since the creation of the state, and there is no justification for marginalizing the area. Let us allow them to leverage these strengths to drive Benue’s progress.
“Since 1983, when the administration of the late Aper Aku was truncated, no Kwande person has never occupied the number one seat, a period of over forty years. Kwande has played a pivotal role in shaping Benue’s history and democracy. The governorship would be a fitting recognition of their contributions”, he stated.
BLM explained that considering the strategic role the Kwande people have played in preserving our democracy and the sacrifices they have made to ensure the survival of Benue as a people, it is only rational to zone the 2027 governorship position to the area, since all the geo-political blocks in Tivland have enjoyed the position twice, apart from Kwande.
The group assured that Kwande governorship could unlock opportunities for the area and Benue, driving growth, infrastructure, and social development.
