The Battle For Government House Makurdi Is Hotting Up,Take A Look At The Profile Of Some Contenders Prepared By Hope Abah.

With the release of the INEC timetable for the 2015 general election, political activities have commenced in Benue State with the jostle for the governorship seat.
As the move to succeed Governor Gabriel Suswam takes central stage in the politics of Benue State, the agitation for power shift seems to be gaining ground.
While the Idoma ethnic group which is yet to taste the seat since 38 years of the creation of the state feels it should be given the chance, a fraction the Tiv nation is also making the same demand.
So far, nothing suggests a willingness to relinquish the seat to the Idoma.
The argument is that with components such as: Kwande, Sankera, Jerchira, Jemgbagh and Minda making up the Zone A and B districts of the Tivland, there are no clear signs to relinquish power in the next dispensation until the last in the Tiv component; the Minda, is allowed to take its turn.
Even though, the Minda position has come under criticism by some of its kinsmen who think the zone is asking too much since the current paramount ruler in Tiv land, Tor Tiv, HRM Alfred Torkula comes from the axis, the argument no doubt has become a subject of controversy lately among the indigenes just as the Jerchira bloc is also asking to finish its turn in the truncated reign of Rev. Fr. Adasu following the military coup which toppled his administration in 1993.
On the other hand, the Idoma people are pressing hard their demand which in their estimation would strengthen the bond of brotherhood between them and the other tribes since they say, the state belongs to all of them.
So far, the argument for Minda to have it holds sway. This is because the preponderance of aspirants from the Masev, Iharev and Nongov which make up the Minda axis have also lately stirred a controversy among themselves arguing that the Masev should produce the next governor as they have never been given such an opportunity.
According to the argument, the aspirants from Iharev and Nongov in Guma and Makurdi local governments have had their portion in the exalted seat of the Tor-Tiv while the Masev in Gwer and Gwer West should be given the opportunity to produce the governor.
For these reasons, the array of politicians drawn from this area at the last count, far outnumbered the others cutting across the three zones of the state.
There is no doubt however, that the contest is going to be strictly on the political divides of the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, judging from the array of campaign posters and billboards.

Barrister Emmanuel Jime (APC)
For now, Jime a serving member of the House of Representatives is the only known aspirant vying for the state’s governorship on the APC platform. Before representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency at the House, he was one time speaker of the state Assembly. Political observers think his recent defection from PDP to the APC would better position him to secure the party’s ticket with less stress and in turn give the ruling party in the state a good fight in 2015. From the look of things and the fact that his new party cannot be undermined in the state, pundits have posited that Jime could emerge a strong contender for the number one seat. His scholarship project which has impacted positively on young peoples’ lives across the state and the factor of having an Idoma wife all constitute stepping stones to his chances in all the three senatorial zones of the state.

Chief Steven Lawani (PDP)
The deputy governor of the state is believed to have what it takes to succeed his boss in 2015. He hails from the Idoma speaking Ogbadigbo local government area in the zone ‘C’ senatorial district of Benue State. Popularly described as a ‘loyal deputy’ Lawani is said to have garnered wide experience in politics and enjoys a healthy relationship with his boss and PDP chieftains across the state. Popular opinion from his home zone favours his candidature above his peers, but his greatest obstacle remains the absolute resolve of the Tiv at this instance not to concede power to the Idoma.

Barrister Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN (PDP)
A former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation during the President Umaru Yar’adua’s administration, whose tenure was enmeshed by lots of controversies between 2007 and 2010 after his alleged role in the case of former governor, James Ibori of Delta State. The Mbakuha born native of Ushongo local government area appears to have retired to rice farming as the chairman of Mikap-producer of Miva rice located in Makurdi. His posters dot nooks and crannies of Tiv land wherever an important occasion holds but how this dream would be realized is contentious considering his light weight in the state. Though he has the financial muscle, the unwritten zoning arrangement among his tribal kinsmen may not favour somebody from his own side of Ushongo which produced late Aper Aku in 1983.

Chief Sam Ode (PDP)
The former minister of state for Niger-Delta Affairs enjoys very vibrant relationship with people cutting across the entire zones of the state. Ode, hails from the Idoma ethnic stock of Benue South, was a caretaker chairman of Otukpo and later, special adviser to two governors of the state. He is loved for his generosity but also feared for his huge spending habit. Many people regard him as a friend of the incumbent governor while some describe him as a philanthropist par excellence. His aspiration had been announced severally at public functions by youths bearing banners and posters with his inscription boldly written, “Vote Sam Ode for Governor 2015.” Political watchers however, contend that his chances of becoming the first Idoma man to govern the state might not see the light of day since there is no concession yet to give the slot to the Idoma.

Engr. Felix Atume (PDP)
The former registrar of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is a strong contender who enjoys the support of his Tiv people and other ethnic groupings in the state.
Atume has an attractive profile that can help him accomplish his dream but the new twist in MINDA calculation could rob his chance if the argument to limit the contest to only the MASEV holds sway at the end of the day. He is respected for the immense contribution made to the well being of his rural kinsmen through various developmental projects done to better their lots during his hey days at various positions held in the state.

Engr. Ada Chenge (PDP)
Engr. Roseline Ada Chenge is presently the only visible female aspirant eyeing the 2015 governorship position in Benue state. She contested the same position in 2007 but lost to the incumbent governor at the primaries, this time; Chenge who is currently the Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Makurdi, is making a comeback on three counts; one, that her background as an Idoma by birth, Tiv from Jechira by marriage and a female Engineer by profession would be harnessed to make her dream a reality. She is believed to have beautiful ideas that could transform the state but would need to convince the political class to buy into the idea of having a female governor in the state.

Terhemen Tarzoor
He is an economist by training. Tarzoor worked as a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi before he got elected into the State House of Assembly in 2007. The 41-year-old aspirant became Speaker when he was re-elected to the State Assembly in 2011, his tenure was however truncated by an election petition tribunal verdict that quashed his victory based on irregularities. Tarzoor is loved for his generous disposition to people regardless of class and has embarked on several public and private ventures to his credit. He is likely to enjoy the full support of Makurdi-North state constituency where he hails from. His chances may however be hindered by the Masev insistence on having their turn.

Chief Samuel Ortom (PDP)
Ortom has done well in his private and business life. He is the current minister of state for Trade and Investment. He is fondly, referred to as a ‘born again’ Christian, the minister has built a wide political influence over the years in the state such that he gathers the grassroots support to achieve success in the coming election. Political observers say he would clinch the party’s ticket any day, but as the MINDA calculation further deepens to the extent that it no longer favours his origin of Nzorov clan in Guma local government area, his supporters fear his ambition may suffer. His wealth of experience as an old politician who has held leadership positions at the local government level and being a politician of no mean repute would count positively for his aspiration if the game changes.

Hinga Biam (PDP)
He retired recently as a permanent secretary to devote more time to his governorship aspiration. Rising steadily from a reporter in the state owned newspaper, The Voice to becoming its editor, Biem went on to serve as an administrator of Ohimini local government before his appointment as permanent secretary. Today as he sets his eyes on the goal before him, sources said his popularity with the elites, most of who in are kingmakers in the state which is considered a yard stick to measure victory would likely earn him success. His chances are bright as the Minda agenda seems to favour his cause at the moment. The only worry at this stage would be his lack of political structure to build a formidable front but being very close to the governor, who has high regards for him, political pundits opined that he is a top contender.
Moreover, he appears to be very serious with his aspiration with the opening of his campaign office and gradual building of a wide spread of support groups across the state.

Comrade Simon Anchaver
He is presently a labour leader; serving as the Benue chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress and at the same time the national president of Agricultural and Allied Employees Workers’ Union of Nigeria (AAEWUN). Anchaver, already is said to have widely consulted with traditional rulers in all nooks and crannies of the state. A native of Masev in Gwer local government area of MINDA ethnic stock which is believed would make him a strong contender in the event the zoning formula is shifted to his area. He has already unveiled his programme of action if elected into office. Anchaver’s strongest point remains the healthy labour relationship that he enjoys with people. How much clout he would pull when the murky waters of politics begins to gather momentum in the next few months will depend on his ability to convince the ‘godfathers’ to stay on his side. He would also have teachers in the state to contend with for failing to negotiate their minimum wage with government when he succeeded to do so for other state workers.

Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse (PDP)
Fifty-three year old Nyitse has cut his teeth in the journalism profession. He rose from being a reporter of the defunct Concord newspaper in 1987 to become its Managing Editor of North-Central zone in 1992. He had also worked with the state owned media, The Voice, at its managerial level until his appointment as Director of press during the military era. He recently retired as permanent secretary with the state civil service to pursue his ambition of becoming governor in 2015. Nyitse has vast knowledge of how government should be run successfully following his wealth of experience garnered over the years. The Guma-born 1985 English graduate is loved by his people for his generous disposition and humility despite the fact that pundits described him as too elitist for democratic governance. The only snag for him remains the proposed zoning of the position to the Masev within the Minda divide.

Eugene Aliegba
If Governor Gabriel Suswam is to ensure the emergence of a preferred candidate and a trusted ally, the Gwer born political scientist who enjoys a glowing relationship with the governor has the advantage.
Until recently when he resigned from the Benue State Executive Council, Aliegba, who is an associate professor with the Benue State University before he assumed position as one of the longest serving commissioners under the Suswam’s regime stood tall above many others eyeing the seat. Basically, his strong bond of relationship with the governor which was said to have kindled in their days at the School of Basic Studies, Makurdi and coupled with the fact that the present administration wields its powers around the crop of old boys from same school is believed would be harnessed to support Aliegba at the right time. If the MINDA socio-political sentiment is anything to go by, the self-styled politician who is largely known for his inaccessibility and allegation that he could hardly part with money has good days ahead of him.

Source Iorliam Shija.