2019 ELECTION: Politicians To Watch In Benue

The year of general election is sixteen months away. However, politicians have deserted sleep and busy strategizing ahead of 2019. Consultations are going on as well as alignments and re-alignments across the Federation. In Benue State like other states of the Federation, there are some major political actors to watch.

SAMUEL IORAER ORTOM: Former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, and incumbent governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom is a politician with the structure and platform to launch any ambition. His political expertise is noteworthy and can not be ignored. In 2015, using the solid structure of George Akume, he contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress and defeated the anointed candidate of the PDP, Prince Terhmen Tarzoor on the strengths of the wind of change and inability of his predecessor to pay salaries of civil servants in the State. Today, Ortom is faced with a similar challenge of salaries arrears and the Akume political structure is no longer intact. Come 2019, Ortom must swim with little or no solid support similar to that of 2019. His only swimsuit seems to be his ability to settle the salary challenge before elections.


GEORGE IGBEGBE AKUME: Senator representing Zone B and leader of the APC in Benue State, Akume is seen as the godfather of Benue politics. Hitherto, he had managed his kitchen cabinet very well. But the story is different today as one of his protégés and member representing Buruku Federal Constituency, Emmanuel Orker Jev riding on the current and popular sentiments of an Akume return home, has indicated interest in moving from the Green Chambers to the Red Chambers. Akume, for the first time is seen campaigning for his Senate seat. When Akume is involved, it is not always easy because of his political benevolence that cuts across the state.

GABRIEL TORWUA SUSWAM: Former governor of Benue State, Suswam is still a major factor in Benue politics. The University of Lagos trained-lawyer one the leaders to determine the pace and character of politics within his party, the PDP considering the fact that he is still in control of the levers of the party and his Zone A Senatorial aspiration is still in the offing. For the PDP to stand as a united party, Suswam must cater for the interest of the David Mark block and also afford aspirants a level playing field during the party primaries.

DAVID ALECHENU BONAVENTURE MARK: Former President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Idoma-born General is one politician that has mastered the art of political scheming and machination. He is the leader of Idoma people. Even though the Idomas are reluctant about the 2019 guber race, the Okpokpowulu ki Idoma is still the green light. In 2015, it was widely rumoured that Mark has indicated interest to handover the senate seat to his Man Friday and political loyalist, Comrade Abba Moro but the General disappointed the people as he went to the Senate for a record fifth term, first in the political history of Nigeria. Mark has built a strong and favourable political network at the national level and is a proud member of Nigeria’s first eleven politicians. He is seen as showing little interest in the governorship elections in Benue State but with the PDP in opposition coupled with Mark’s deep pockets and control of Zone C, the story is likely to change this time around. Even if he is not going to be the Kingmaker, he must give his blessings.

BARNABAS ANDYAR IORHER GEMADE: Gemade is the Senator representing Zone A at the National Assembly. Like 2015, Baba Senator is set to fight another battle for his political survival and this time around, against former Governor Suswam and vested interests within the Benue APC. The Konshisha-born politician seems set for the must-watch political battle. With the studied silence from the Benue People’s House, Gemade, though not well grounded at the home front, has all the useful contacts in Abuja to either make or mar one’s political career. He is regarded by political foes as the ‘General’ without foot soldiers but the arsenal to cause a third World War.

ABBA PATRICK MORO: Former Honourable Minister of Interior and Okpokwu-born politician, Comrade Abba Moro is a politician with network of friends and associates across the state. He is a staunch supporter of former Senate President and considered as the Dean of his kitchen cabinet. The former BenPoly lecturer is rumoured to be interested in taking over from Mark )as the next senator from the zone. But as a good student of political power, he is still bidding for his time. There is no temptation to serve oga with a quit notice knowing fully well the capacity of Mark to unleash his military trainings against a coup be it military or ‘civilian’. Abba Moro is a grassroot mobilizer.

DAVID IYORNONGO KER: A renowned academic and accomplished administrator, Professor David Iornongo Ker, a former Vice Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi is interested in the 2019 governorship race. The Gwer-born professor of English is not the traditional Nigerian politician who is crazy about political power. However, he is greatly banking on his sterling performances as former Vice Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi and his long standing network with political stakeholders and opinion leaders. Analysts have argued that his marriage to an Idoma lady, Professor (Mrs.) Baetrice Onyi Ker is an added advantage to his aspiration. He is not a money bag, but experience, credibility and antecedents are counting in his favour.

PAUL IORHII: A former Director-General of NAFDAC, Orhii is one of the politicians interested in dislodging incumbent governor, Samuel Ortom form the Benue People’s House. Though not favoured by the zoning sentiments, Orhii’s deep pockets and brilliance are in his favour.

EMMANUEL ORKER-JEV: A third term member of the Federal House of Representatives and Chairman, House Standing Committee on Business and Rules, Orker Jev has fashioned a political persona that is currently making waves across Benue. He is considered as a symbol of hope to the teeming youths of Benue and one of the most admired politicians in the state today with discerning youths already propagating the JEV IDEOLOGY. His rumoured Senatorial bid to unseat incumbent George Akume is the discussed political contest in Benue State today and threatening to alter existing political arrangements in the state. He enjoys the support and loyalty of his colleagues across political divide for his exemplary and all-inclusive leadership of one of the most powerful and influential Committees in the Green Chambers. Like former Representatives Emmanuel Jime and Herman Hembe; he has given a better definition of representation at the National Level. The current sentiments are in favour of Jev but fighting an institution like Akume in an electoral contest is no ea party. Orker Jev is not a new comer in the game of politics and one of the brilliant students of the Akume political institution.

TERHEMBA SHIJA: The Kunav-born politician cum academic served as the Director-General of Suswam/Lawani Campaign Organization in 2011. A dynamic strategist in the class of Professor David Iornem and late Onov Tyulugh, Dr. Shija’s expertise in campaign mobilization and electoral victory must be ‘hired’ by the opposition to unseat the incumbent governor.

AL-UTSAHA: Obafemi Awolowo University trained architect and son to a retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Benue State, Retired Justice A.P.B. Utsaha, Lawrence Aondover Utsaha fondly called AL Utsaha is the face of youthful agitation for a place in governance. He had worked for the enthronement of change but he feels there are some fundamental aspects of the change that should be corrected urging the #AL2019Utsaha Project on the platform of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party of Nigeria, ANRP, peopled by progressive Nigerian youths. While AL Utsaha is loved by the youths for his brilliance and courage, the poser now is how he intends to court the ‘old school’ politicians who are stubbornly reluctant to retire from the political stage. Another challenge is the financial war chest to prosecute the elections. Coming on the platform of a revolutionary party, AL Utsaha must be mindful of soliciting for support because it is more of an entrapment than assistance. Whether AL Utsaha wins or not, his aspiration is a strong signal of a discerning coalition of young people with determination to upstage a generation of sit-tight leaders.

Written By Orshi Ayoh From Benue State..