By Ngutor Anyam

My dear Kwande people, let me summarize my thoughts on the 2027 elections in Benue/ Nigeria as follows:

1. Presidential elections: Baring any unforeseen circumstances, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be returned as elected President: for many reasons. Dangote Refinery, BUA Group Refinery and other Modular refinery schemes plus the impact of electric/battery cars will force down the price of fuel to under N700 and improve exchange rate to less than N1000 to $1 by mid 2026. The more populous people of the North (perceived as minorities) have seen through the Fulanization agenda and prefer a Tinubu Government that may likely checkmate the Fulani hegemony and enforce devolution of powers with more revenue to states and LGAs. Atiku and El-Rufai’s ADC is another Fulani agenda and will not fly in the Middle-belt;
2. President Tinubu is favouring North Central for the 2031 Presidency. The Chief of Army Staff likely has a mandate to stop Fulani induced “skirmishes”; ensure political stability (without military takeover) and position the Army towards democratic support. The APC Chairman (Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda from Plateau State) is likely to deliver the entire North-Central. The Chief of Defense Staff (married to a Tiv Lady) will create and provide the appropriate linkages. The North Central Development Commission, with a Tiv Chairman would prefer critical intervention to make APC the beautiful bride of 2027 and 2031.
3. Senator Dr. George Akume would most likely run for the 2031 Presidency. He has one of the tallest political CVs in the region. Age is on his side and Tiv Nation has consistently been the Presidency decider with over 8million voting population in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Niger etc. An Akume Presidency would likely lead to the emergence of Tiv Governors in Taraba and Nasarawa States (and Ministers) in 2035 with a plethora of benefits to Tiv Nation. This larger goal is bigger than any Tiv Person or their personal ambition.
4. Under the emerging scenario, Senator Akume will likely favour a Jemgbagh Governor in order to galvanize 2031. As it stands, Governor Alia has failed to key into the larger vision, preferring to position himself to run for Presidency. He has become an emperor who appears to be doing the Benue State electorates a favour to be their governor.
5. Furthermore, Governor Alia has truncated the “Ya Na Angbian” principle in the last local government elections and other appointments!
6. In the run-up to the 2023 elections, Sankera voted for a Jechira governor on the pretext that Kwande had denied them the Tor Tiv Stool. Jemgbagh also voted for Jechira as their brother. This balance of power possibilities has not changed. Kwande is therefore not in the governorship equation.
7. Governor Alia, having failed to deliver on security, stomach infrastructure, leadership, etc, the situation behoves Jechira people to call their son to order, which they have failed.
8. Consequently, his office, his brother Jemgbagh will take in 2027! I will provide further insight on why Tiv people favour this type of arrangement subsequently.
9. The stakes: In the green energy and non-hydrocarbon economy of the future, the North-Central holds the key to Nigeria’s economic development and the world’s energy mix. There is an abundance of green energy minerals: lithium, nickel and cobalt in the Central Nigeria and Benue State in particular. Then, there is Leadoxide used for bullets/weapons and Gold. A Central Nigeria (and Benue State) Presidency will ensure the balance of food security and energy without the agitations that create instability. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man who has seen the future, clearly. Consequently, Governor Alia would be a small pawn in the power (Chase) Game of 2027 and 2031.
10. Kwande must therefore learn from history and focus on the Senatorial Election and prepare a younger candidate for Governor in 2035. As it stands, and with the destruction of “Ya Na Angbian” by Governor Alia, the governorship pendulum will swing from Zone A to Zone