Former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, allegedly accused his principal, the immediate-past Governor of the state and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu of frustrating the emergence of an Idoma governorship in 2023.
Engr. Abounu told journalists in Makurdi that the Idoma nation came close to producing the governor of the state but Ortom and Senator Ayu pull the rug off their feet.
He alleged that he was initially encouraged by Chief Ortom that he would support his aspiration, while Ayu and other prominent politicians subsequently frustrated his aspiration.
The former deputy governor claimed that he had no initial ambition to contest the governorship, but was persuaded by political stakeholders who approached him as an opportunity for the Tiv and Idoma to deepen political understanding and power rotation in the state.
He maintained that, “Ayu was among the first prominent politicians to approach him and encourage him to run followed by Gabriel Suswam, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Iyorwuese Hagher, and other stakeholders”.
Abounu contended that all those who sought his political marriage, later called it quits, adding that even after the G-9 (comprising the nine local government areas in Benue South) group presented him as its preferred Idoma candidate, Ortom allegedly directed members of the G-14 (comprising the 14 Tiv speaking local governments) to present the then Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba, as the preferred Tiv candidate.
He noted that the primary election was allegedly manipulated against him, despite what he called the strong support garnered during his campaign across the state.
He claimed he secured greater support in Ortom’s strongholds as well as in Gwer and parts of Vandeikya local government area, but said the political process eventually worked against his aspiration.
The former Deputy Governor also alleged that Senator Abba Moro played a role in the voting pattern of delegates from Okpokwu, stressing that despite all these, he held no personal grudge against Ortom or Moro.
Abounu’s who advocated for strict adherence to zoning ahead of next year’s elections and rotation of elective positions across the senatorial district, cautioned politicians seeking a third or fourth consecutive term in the Senate to consider the implications of prolonged occupation of political positions by one section of the district, arguing that such a situation could create disenchantment among other communities.
According to him, zoning remained sacrosanct for promoting fairness, equity and political stability in Benue South which has different political blocs with qualified individuals capable of representing the people.
He noted that the senatorial district had previously witnessed a transition from former Senate President, David Mark, who represented the district for several years, to Abba Moro, who emerged as his successor in 2015.
“Moro, who represents Benue South in the Senate, is currently seeking another term, according to the political context surrounding the 2027 election”.
Abounu cautioned eligible voters against choosing candidates solely on the basis of where they come from, but urged them to combine considerations of fairness with an assessment of candidates’ antecedents, character, competence and records of service.
Abounu therefore called on the people of Benue South to approach the 2027 elections with political maturity, insisting that candidates should be judged not only by their political ambitions but also by their commitment to the welfare and development of their constituents.
