A group known as the Benue South Strategic Group (BSSG) has called for the zoning of the governorship and Senate seats in Benue State, citing prolonged political exclusion of certain ethnic groups. The demand emerged after a stakeholders' meeting held on Friday in Makurdi. Former Deputy Governor of Benue State and BSSG leader, Chief Benson Abounu, stated that since the state's creation, no governor or Speaker of the State House of Assembly has come from Benue South. He described the situation as unjust and insisted on political equity, linking support for any 2027 presidential candidate to their commitment to fair representation. The group declared its intention to produce a governor from Benue South in the next election, while acknowledging the need for alliances across the state.
The BSSG proposed restricting the next Benue South senatorial ticket to constituencies that have never held the seat—Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi—arguing that Otukpo and Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo have produced senators multiple times, including David Mark and Abba Moro. It recommended a rotational arrangement between the two underrepresented constituencies, with the order decided through mutual agreement. The group also demanded inclusion in other key positions, particularly the speakership, and called for fairness in all elective and appointive roles. Its resolutions will guide political engagements ahead of 2027.
Chief Benson Abounu is framing political access as a negotiation, not a plea. By tying support for presidential candidates to zoning concessions, the BSSG is shifting power dynamics ahead of 2027. This isn't just about fairness—it's a signal that Benue South will leverage its vote strategically. For Nigerian politics, it underscores how regional blocs are increasingly setting terms, not waiting for handouts.
