By Vincent Tyosuugh

African Democratic Congress (ADC) 2027 governorship candidate in Benue State, Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe, has kicked against the exclusion of the Tiv ethnic group from the presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This reaction trails the All Progressives Congress, Saturday release of the complete membership list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council without any member of the Tiv race, the highest in the Middle and the fourth most populated ethnic group in Nigeria.

Only three people from Benue State made the list. The three are former President of the Senate, Ameh Ebute; former Deputy Governor of the state, Steven Lawani; and Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi.

According to a statement issued by the Hembe/Abba Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation, signed by Sir Peter Vande, which was made available to newsmen on Sunday night, said the development was a deliberate political decision.

The statement read in part:

“The recent release of the presidential campaign council list by the Tinubu APC has exposed a deliberate and calculated exclusion of the Tiv people from national reckoning.

“This is not an oversight. This is a message, and every Tiv person, every Benue son and daughter, must read it correctly. There will be no room for the Tiv if, God forbid, Tinubu is declared winner.”

The organisation said the Tiv people had contributed significantly to Nigeria’s unity and development and should not be treated as an afterthought in national political calculations.

“We are the fourth-largest tribe in Nigeria. We have shed blood for the unity of this country. We are, and have always been, a beautiful tribe that deserves to be courted diligently, not a bystander invited only when convenient.”

The statement, however, said the Tiv people should not be likened to someone seeking attention where none existed, stressing that the Tiv as one of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups deserved to be deliberately courted in the nation’s political process.

It further argued that the exclusion of Tiv APC members from the presidential campaign council should concern every serious-minded Tiv person and questioned whether the Tiv people could expect adequate representation in government if President Bola Tinubu wins the 2027 election.

The organisation said its governorship candidate, Herman Hembe, remained committed to the welfare, security and political interests of the people of Benue, adding that fair representation should be a major consideration in determining political loyalty and electoral support.

Hembe used the opportunity to urge the people of Benue to back the African Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who he described as a politician familiar with the concerns of the Tiv people.

The organisation said an Atiku/Amaechi administration would restore the Tiv and Benue people to what it described as their rightful position in Nigeria’s political affairs, while also claiming that Atiku had better plans for improving the lives of Nigerians.

Similarly, the All Progressives Congress in the state has decried the exclusion of the Tiv ethnic group from the party’s presidential campaign council.

Daniel Ihomun, the state publicity secretary of the Agada-led faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday, argued that the majority of members who made the list, especially those from the North-Central, were Muslims.

He said, “We, the party in the state, are not happy with the list released in the President Bola Tinubu Campaign Council because Tiv people are excluded from the list.

“There are so many Muslims on the list, especially in North-Central. The former Director-General of the Tinubu campaign in 2023 was not on the list. We Christians are not happy; we have been shortchanged.

“With the Tiv population in Nigeria, you cannot neglect us like that. We contributed to Tinubu’s victory in 2023; it’s like we have been neglected.

“With what has happened, the President is making the job (campaign) difficult for us.”

By Bem Kurugh

The outcome of the Osun State governorship election, which returned Governor Ademola Adeleke to office, once again demonstrates a simple political truth: elections are ultimately decided by the people, not by internal party power struggles. While political parties often devote enormous energy to fighting over structures, conducting questionable primaries, imposing preferred candidates, and sidelining key stakeholders, these exercises mean very little if the electorate is unconvinced. The people remain the final arbiters of democratic contests, and no amount of political maneuvering can substitute for their collective will.

The Osun election is a reminder that political structures do not cast votes—citizens do. A politician who enjoys the confidence, goodwill, and support of the people stands a far better chance of electoral success than one who merely controls party machinery. History has shown repeatedly that candidates imposed through kangaroo primaries or backed solely by influential political interests often struggle at the polls because they lack genuine acceptance among the electorate. Democracy thrives when the people’s choice prevails, not when a few individuals attempt to determine outcomes behind closed doors.

More importantly, elections are won when leaders earn the trust of the people through visible performance and responsible governance. Citizens are more likely to reward a government that has delivered on its promises, addressed their concerns, improved public services, and remained accessible than one that spends its time pursuing political supremacy. Performance, humility, and responsiveness speak louder than endless battles for party control. When people feel the impact of good governance in their daily lives, they become the strongest campaigners for any administration.

Political actors should therefore learn the right lesson from Osun. Rather than gallivanting around in search of structures or engaging in unnecessary conflicts with stakeholders, they should invest their energy in building public confidence through credible leadership and meaningful service. Respect for internal democracy, consultation with stakeholders, and commitment to the welfare of the people will always yield better political dividends than imposition, division, and manipulation.

The victory in Osun reinforces an enduring democratic principle: power belongs to the people. Political structures may provide organization, but they cannot replace popular support. Leaders who seek electoral success should focus less on controlling party machinery and more on winning the hearts of the electorate through integrity, performance, and inclusive leadership. In the end, it is the people not political structures who determine who governs.

—Decry non- scholarship award by govt
–Condemn neglect of student hostels

By Vincent Tyosuugh

Forum of University Student Leaders in Benue State on Tuesday, expressed support for the SDP candidate in the 2027 elections, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, while decrying the rot in student hostels and neglect by the Governor Alia administration.

The students made the declaration during a solidarity visit to the Director General, Sebastine Tar. Hon Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ngutor Anyam, in Makurdi.

The student leaders who took turns to address the DG, lamented the poor state of student welfare under the current government.

To the Coordinator of “Hon Va Youth Movement 2027,” Christian Aondongu, students have been the worst hit by the policies of the present state government. In his words:

“As student leaders, we can testify that students have been neglected.

“Government has no incentives for students.

“Our hostels are bad and the toilets are not fit even for our worst enemies.”

He added that the group is planning a solidarity march in honour of Prof. Hon ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, the Chairman, National Association of University Students (NAUS), Benue State chapter, Comrade Terfa Kator, lamented the absence of government scholarship, saying:

“We are enarmored of Prof. Sebastine Hon because he has been awarding scholarships.”

To the Coordinator, National Association of Zone C Students, BSU, Comrade Ode Francis, the Alia administration is “anti-students”, adding that:

“Even the Ortom administration tagged the worst awarded scholarships.

“We searched for a candidate to support.

“We are uplifting the candidature of Prof. Hon,” he stated.

Responding, a member of the STH Campaign Organisation, Zaki Godwin Akpen, told the students to remain committed.

“You are leaders right now. If you want a better tomorrow, your ideas for real development will make a difference,” he charged the students.

In his remarks, Dr. Anyam expressed delight at the students’ decision and promised the campaign organisation’s full support.

“You have already identified Prof. Sebastine Hon as a credible leader.

“If you assist him to get into government, you are part of the history of making Benue State great.”

Recalling his university days, the DG said he enjoyed a meal for 50 kobo as an undergraduate and expressed pain over the failure of public service and the decline in the university system in Nigeria. He regretted the unpatriotic attitude of those in positions of authority, saying that:

“A Chinese firm once sought to build hostels for the Benue State University students but the plan was thwarted because management of the university at the time was more interested in milking the company.”

Dr. Anyam outlined key plans of the STH administration to include prioritising scholarships, industrialization, sports development and export of agricultural produce and talents.

The students ended the meeting with chants of solidarity for the SDP candidate.