A pressure group under the aegis of the Benue South Strategic Group (BSSG) has demanded the zoning of governorship and senatorial positions, citing decades of political exclusion of some ethnic groups in the state.
The group made its position known on Friday after a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the leader of the group, former Benue State Deputy Governor Chief Benson Abounu decried the long history of marginalisation of some ethnic groups from holding certain political offices in the state.
He noted that since the creation of the state, Benue South has neither produced a governor nor occupied the office of Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Abounu described the situation as unjust and unacceptable, insisting that the time had come for equity, fairness, and a deliberate political correction.
He declared that any presidential candidate seeking their support ahead of the 2027 general elections must demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the imbalance and guaranteeing fair representation for the district.
The group expressed firm resolve to produce a governor from Benue South in the next election, while acknowledging the need to build alliances across the state to actualise the ambition.
“We are determined, but we also understand that we cannot do it alone. We will engage stakeholders across the state to make this a reality,” the group stated.
The group proposed a zoning arrangement aimed at correcting internal imbalances within the district, restricting the next Benue South senatorial contest to constituencies that have never produced a senator in the area.
It noted that constituencies such as Otukpo and Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo have produced senators multiple times, including David Mark and Abba Moro, while Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi have never had the opportunity.
To address this, the group proposed a rotation between Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi, adding that the decision on which constituency should take the first slot should be resolved through mutual understanding among stakeholders.
“Our position is clear—no group should be marginalised. Those who have not benefited should be given the opportunity, and a gentleman’s agreement can determine who goes first.”
Beyond the governorship and Senate, the group also demanded inclusion in key political offices, particularly the position of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, stressing that no segment of the district should continue to be excluded from power.
It further called for fairness and equity in the zoning of all elective and appointive positions across the state, urging political leaders to embrace justice in their decisions.
The group said the resolutions reached at the meeting would serve as a guide for its political engagements, consultations, and alliance-building efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
