_Idoko kicks off senate bid with ranching proposal, promises grassroots politics as critics call idea ‘outdated’

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Benue South Senatorial aspirant Hon. Patrick Ojechema Idoko has come under mixed reactions after unveiling a goat-rearing empowerment scheme as a flagship constituency project at the launch of his campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

Idoko, who began a grassroots tour of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, told supporters he would establish a cooperative ranching system to tackle youth unemployment and steer young people away from social vices.

“I will buy plots of land, about the size of this secretariat. We will fence it round and set up a cooperative for the youths,” Idoko said. “We will then buy about 60 to 80 goats. They will divide themselves into ten groups and take turns caring for the goats on a weekly basis.”

He projected rapid growth, adding, “Before the end of the year, they can have up to 10,000 goats. One goat currently costs about ₦100,000. Goats primarily eat grasses. They will have a ranch and a cooperative that will monitor the goats.”

The proposal has sparked debate across Benue South. While some residents acknowledged agriculture’s economic potential, critics dismissed the plan as “outdated and insufficient” given the scale of socio-economic challenges in the district.

“The idea of ranching is not bad, but we need projects that match the realities of 2027. Our youths need tech skills, industries, and access to capital, not just goats,” a resident in Ogbadibo said.

Supporters, however, defended the scheme as practical and sustainable. “Goat farming is big business. If properly managed, it can lift families out of poverty,” another constituent noted.

Idoko formally commenced his bid in Agbafu, his hometown, where he received parental blessings before moving to Aono Ward 3 and later the Ogbadibo Local Government Secretariat. The two-stage declaration at ward and LGA levels was framed as a show of commitment to grassroots-driven politics.

At Aono Ward 3, the ward chairman described Idoko as the sole aspirant from the area and urged party members to rally behind him. “We have a son who understands our needs and has the capacity to deliver,” he said.

Ogbadibo LGA Chairman, Hon. Sunday Ajunwa, also pledged support at the council secretariat. “We are with you all the way. Ogbadibo is ready for representation that works,” Ajunwa stated.

Addressing supporters, Idoko listed infrastructure development, improved healthcare, economic empowerment, and revenue-generating initiatives as his priorities. He promised a campaign “rooted in grassroots engagement and results-driven representation.”

The declaration drew a large turnout, with notable attendees including Chief Daniel Onda, Comrade Iliya Hassan, Hon. Fab Agada, Chief Adoyi, and Mrs. Enayi Ogbe, among others. Supporters said the crowd reflects “growing acceptance” of his ambition in Zone C.

• Automatic Tickets Directive and other Toxic Areas Identified

By Felix Umande from Makurdi

With the Alia-Akume reconciliation meeting of Sunday, come and gone, political observers warn of a likely deeper APC crisis.

Reactions from the camps of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, with political analysts and stakeholders are sharply divided over its outcome. One of the toxic issues is the reported presidential directive on automatic tickets for APC lawmakers.

The closed-door meeting, held at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, was convened to end the protracted party crisis between both leaders.

But at the meeting, the SGF reportedly delivered directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including one instructing Governor Alia to ensure that all members of the State and National Assembly elected on the APC platform receive automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

No written communiqué was immediately issued at the end of the meeting, a development that has fueled conflicting interpretations from both camps.

Political analyst Tersugh Daniel Aondoakaa described the meeting as “a masterclass in political theatre” rather than genuine reconciliation.

“What unfolded was not reconciliation in any meaningful sense. It was staged primarily to assure President Tinubu that his directive had been honoured, while ensuring that the substantive political dynamics on the ground remained exactly as Akume had engineered them,” Aondoakaa said.

He argued that the absence of a jointly signed resolution meant “each side walked away with its own version of proceedings.”

Aondoakaa noted Akume’s public declaration that Governor Alia would be returned, he argued that no loyalist of the SGF who had already picked a gubernatorial form was asked to step down. “If there were any genuine commitment, the most basic evidence would have been that instruction,” he said.

He added that the automatic ticket directive was “a political impossibility” that ignores zoning arrangements and the performance records of some sitting legislators.

According to him, Governor Alia’s rejection of automatic tickets and insistence on open primaries “exposed the reconciliation as the hollow exercise it was.” He warned that Alia faces at least four credible contenders in the primaries, including Dr Jeffrey Kuraun, Dr Matthias Byuan, and Hon. Terwase Orbunde, a situation that could fragment votes across the state.

“Stakeholders aligned with Akume have already been projected to cross over and work for the PDP if Alia survives the primary. Kwande may also pursue its own gubernatorial ambition with Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa as PDP consensus candidate,” he added.

A Political commentator Hitler Akya took a harder stance, accusing Governor Alia of defying President Tinubu’s directive.

“By refusing the President’s directive for peace and reconciliation in the Benue APC, Governor Hyacinth Alia has, politically speaking, spat in the President’s face,” Akya wrote.

He argued that presidential directives are “Instruments of party discipline” and not suggestions. “Turning that directive down tells the Villa that the Governor rates his local battles above the party’s national interest.”

Akya warned that the cost of the stance would not be borne by the Governor alone. “Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C are already bleeding from insecurity and economic strain. What Benue APC needed was unity of purpose. What it got was a Governor willing to stare down the President to protect his own camp.”

A Legal practitioner and political commentator, Barr. Jirgba Terfa Jirgba, raised constitutional and procedural concerns about the reported directive.

“The national leadership of the APC has clearly maintained that automatic tickets should not be granted to any aspirant. More specifically, the party approved direct primaries for Benue State, which fundamentally contradicts any blanket endorsement of automatic candidacy,” he said.

Jirgba noted that many aspirants had already purchased forms at “Significant financial cost” and warned that imposing automatic tickets could trigger “Legal disputes and internal party crises.”

He questioned who would refund aspirants if barred from contesting: “The President, the Governor, or the party leadership?” he asked.

“It is also unclear under what legal or political framework the President can direct that all elected APC officials in Benue be returned unconditionally. Such a sweeping mandate raises constitutional and democratic concerns,” he added.

But offering a contrasting view, Hon. Ferdinand Shinyi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alia, insisted the meeting was sincere and that peace was imminent.

“I try to look at body language in meetings like this. And going by the body language of the governor and the SGF, there’s reason to believe that they really want to reconcile,” Shinyi said.

He said he sat close to Akume loyalists and observed their expressions. “Going by the expressions on their faces and their whispers to each other, one could see that they were desperate to see this happen.”

Shinyi cited former APC chairman Abba Yaro, who, he said, gestured to him and remarked, “That’s all, e don finish na. This quarrel no suppose long. We are one family now.”

By Our Reporter

Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, former governor Gabriel Suswam and his deputy Stephen Lawani and other key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State on Sunday, 3rd May 2026, were locked in a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Meeting at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, to cement a renewed commitment to unity and internal cohesion to boost APC’s future electoral fortunes.

Convened by Governor Hyacinth Alia, the meeting was also graced by national and state assembly members, federal appointees among others.

While briefing the press after the meeting, Governor Alia described the gathering as a deliberate effort to reunite party members and mend internal divisions. He emphasized the need for reconciliation, mutual understanding, and a return to the spirit of oneness that once defined the party in the state.

According to the governor, the APC-led administration in Benue has recorded significant strides across key sectors, including free basic education, improved healthcare services, and infrastructure development. He noted that such achievements underscore the importance of unity, stressing that collective action remains vital for sustaining progress and delivering greater dividends of democracy to the people.

In a conciliatory tone, Governor Alia tendered his sincere apologies to aggrieved members, describing the gesture as a necessary step toward renewing trust and strengthening party cohesion. He reiterated that leadership demands the courage to mend fences and foster inclusiveness, adding that Benue’s interests must always supersede individual ambitions.

On his part, SGF George Akume acknowledged the progress made during the meeting, particularly in addressing past grievances and promoting inclusiveness within the party. He commended the governor’s willingness to apologize, describing it as a critical move toward genuine reconciliation. Akume also conveyed the broader expectation within party ranks that elected APC officials in the state remain aligned, emphasizing unity as a cornerstone for political stability.

Former Governor Gabriel Suswam described the meeting as a collective effort aimed at strengthening the APC rather than advancing individual interests. He disclosed that a committee had been constituted to fine-tune agreements reached and draft a formal communiqué, expressing optimism that the reconciliation process would yield lasting results.

Similarly, APC National Vice Chairman (North Central), Muazu Bawa Rijau, noted that party members had resolved their differences and recommitted themselves to a united front. He highlighted that the party would adhere to established guidelines regarding primary elections, with direct primaries earlier adopted as the preferred mode in the state.

Contributing, Hon. David Okewu, Federal lawmaker representing Oju/Obi Constituency, underscored the importance of peace and sacrifice in politics, urging party members to embrace unity for the overall development of Benue State. He also referenced the leadership direction of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as guided by experience and national interest

Rt. Hon. Nick Eworo, in his remarks, expressed strong confidence in Governor Alia’s leadership, citing visible developmental progress across the state. He emphasized that reconciliation should not be constrained by timelines, noting that the current effort represents a timely and necessary intervention for the party’s future.

The meeting may mark a significant turning point step in efforts to and consolidate the APC’s internal structure in Benue State, if stakeholders embrace and adhere to all the resolutions.