Benue Strategic Partnership Tv

ORTOM STOOD IN THE GAP: WILL ALIA HOLD THE LINE? BENUE LAND IS NOT NEGOTIABLE

As a concerned member of the Benue community, I believe issues concerning our land, security and collective future must be approached with facts, courage and responsibility not partisan emotion or political rivalry.

Former Governor Samuel Ortom deserves recognition for a position many once criticized but which subsequent developments have given renewed significance. When the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari introduced proposals associated with RUGA, cattle colonies and other livestock-development arrangements, Chief Ortom took a firm stand against any framework he believed could compromise Benue’s ancestral lands, agricultural livelihoods and community security.

His position was clear: Benue can support modern livestock production without surrendering the land and legitimate interests of its farming communities.

His administration subsequently reinforced that position through the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law. Whatever criticisms may be directed at his administration, his insistence that livestock development must not come at the expense of indigenous communities remains an important part of Benue’s history.

Governor Hyacinth Alia now carries the responsibility of protecting those same fundamental interests. His support for ending open grazing and promoting ranching is worthy of recognition, particularly where such policies genuinely advance peace, productivity and coexistence.

However, vigilance remains necessary.
Whenever a livestock programme, ranching initiative, partnership or government agreement involves land, citizens have a legitimate right to ask: Whose land is involved? Who owns it? Who controls it? Who will occupy it? What laws govern the arrangement? What safeguards protect indigenous communities?
These questions should not be interpreted as hostility towards pastoralists or opposition to livestock development. Properly regulated ranching can reduce farmer-herder conflicts and create economic opportunities for both farmers and pastoralists.

Our position must therefore remain principled: No policy, regardless of its name or political packaging, should become a pathway to dispossession, permanent occupation or erosion of legitimate indigenous land rights.
This is not Ortom versus Alia. It is about Benue.

Political leaders come and go. Governments change. But the land remains.

Benue land is not negotiable.

Comr. Akende Edmond Aondona

Public Affairs Analyst

Akeeior–Utange, Ushongo LGA

THE ARK IS BIGGER THAN THE OARS: THE EMINENT DANGER CONFRONTING ALIA’S APC IN 2027

The story of Noah and his three sons - Shem, Ham and Japheth contains a timeless lesson about the fragility of unity after a shared ordeal. They endured the same deluge, occupied the same Ark and eventually emerged together into an altered world. Yet surviving the same catastrophe did not guarantee enduring harmony.

That imagery offers a striking political parallel to the unfolding situation within the Benue APC as 2027 draws closer.

The men and women who contributed to the emergence of Governor Hyacinth Alia did not come from unrelated political worlds. They travelled the same arduous political road, confronted formidable adversaries, endured bruising contests and made significant sacrifices before the APC eventually secured power in Benue. They boarded the same political Ark.

But the eminent danger confronting Governor Alia's APC may no longer lie principally outside the party. It may be festering within the vessel itself.

The increasingly palpable impression is that the captain has become preoccupied with determining who should hold the oars, whilst alienating some of the very passengers who once helped navigate the treacherous waters.
Governor Alia's political ascendancy was not a solitary accomplishment. It was fashioned through an intricate coalition of personalities, political structures, relationships and supporters.

Those who stood beside him when victory remained uncertain helped mobilize support, construct alliances and withstand formidable opposition.

Yet the political atmosphere has become increasingly acrimonious, with former allies finding themselves on opposing sides of consequential political disputes.

More troubling is the apparent erosion of the space for reconciliation. Some of Governor Alia's close political allies have already resorted to judicial processes in challenging decisions associated with the party's leadership. Once political disagreements migrate from private consultations and internal negotiations into formal litigation, the character of the conflict changes profoundly.
It becomes institutional.

It becomes public. And it becomes considerably more difficult to contain.

Litigation is, of course, a legitimate avenue for resolving political grievances within a democratic system. Nevertheless, its emergence within a governing party may also indicate that conventional channels of political accommodation have become exhausted, ineffective or distrusted.

The danger is considerable: political exclusion may metamorphose into factionalization; factionalization may harden into litigation; and litigation may ultimately crystallize into electoral fragmentation before 2027.

Governor Alia must therefore confront an uncomfortable political truth: before becoming captain, he was once a passenger.

He once needed alliances. He once depended upon political stakeholders. He once required the structures, relationships and commitment of people prepared to navigate difficult political waters alongside him.

Leadership should cultivate magnanimity, not political amnesia.

Meanwhile, ordinary Benue citizens remain preoccupied with insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and the lack of transparency in governance. They did not entrust their mandate to political leaders for interminable factional quarrels or internecine warfare.

The APC therefore faces a consequential choice before 2027: continue along the path of confrontation and fragmentation, or summon the political sagacity required to repair its fractured relationships.

But if reconciliation has already been exhausted and political grievances have entered the institutional and judicial arena, Governor Alia's challenge has become considerably more formidable.

The Ark is bigger than the oars.

And if the captain continues fighting those who once helped steer the vessel, the greatest danger to Alia's APC in 2027 may not be the storm outside.

It may be that the passengers, having exhausted every avenue of persuasion, begin preparing their own lifeboats.

Comr Akende Edmond Aondona

Public Affairs/Political Analyst

Akeeior - Utange, Ushongo LGA.

MKA2027

MKEENEM'S ASCENDANCY GATHERS MOMENTUM AS KWANDE/USHONGO FIX EYES ON THE BALL

By Akende Edmond Aondona

The political firmament of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency is experiencing a remarkable realignment as the aspiration of Hon. Moses Mkeenem continues to crystallize into a formidable movement, eliciting widespread enthusiasm across communities and stakeholder blocs.

With every engagement, Mkeenem's candidacy appears to be transcending conventional political calculations, evolving into a compelling proposition anchored on courage, competence, and visionary leadership. His growing acceptability is not merely a consequence of political mobilization but a reflection of an enduring rapport cultivated through years of meaningful interaction with the people.

Regarded by many as an astute, cerebral, and unpretentious leader, Hon. Mkeenem has distinguished himself as one whose convictions remain unwavering even in the face of political headwinds. His disposition to speak truth to power without sacrificing decorum has become one of the defining hallmarks of his public life. He exemplifies the rare fusion of audacity and humility—assertive in advocacy yet measured in conduct.

His supporters maintain that his legislative aspiration is predicated on the conviction that effective representation extends beyond rhetoric. They believe he possesses the dexterity to galvanize government attention, stimulate developmental interventions, and institutionalize enduring legacies capable of redefining the socio-economic trajectory of Kwande/Ushongo.

Perhaps one of his most profound political assets is the robustness of his grassroots architecture. His influence permeates the length and breadth of the constituency, sustained by authentic relationships with the ordinary people while simultaneously commanding the confidence of political elites, traditional institutions, party leaders, and critical stakeholders. This uncommon equilibrium has positioned him as a bridge-builder whose politics is defined more by consensus than confrontation.

Mkeenem's political philosophy is underpinned by inclusivity, consultation, and mutual respect. His accessibility has fostered a climate of trust, while his strategic engagement with diverse interests continues to consolidate his standing as a dependable rallying point for progressive politics.

Despite his youthful disposition, Hon. Moses Mkeenem is widely acknowledged by supporters as possessing exceptional political sagacity, remarkable emotional intelligence, and the resilience required to navigate the intricate dynamics of contemporary governance. His eloquence is complemented by restraint, his confidence by courtesy, and his ambition by an unwavering commitment to public service.

As the 2027 National Assembly elections draw closer, supporters believe the momentum surrounding his aspiration is assuming the character of an irresistible political renaissance. For them, Hon. Moses Mkeenem embodies not merely the promise of a new Kwande /Ushongo era but the prospect of transformative leadership, purposeful advocacy, and a legacy that could resonate far beyond the present political cycle.

Senator Abba Moro Donates 100 Motorcycles to Boost Security in Benue South

Senator Patrick Abba Moro, PhD, has donated 100 motorcycles to security formations in Benue South to enhance mobility, surveillance, and rapid response.

Distribution of the first phase begins August 1, 2026 .

The Senator said the donation is to support security agencies in tackling ongoing challenges in the zone. He also condoled with families affected by the recent attack in Efeyi Ugboju, Otukpo LGA, and pledged to escalate the people’s concerns to relevant authorities for urgent action.

He restated his commitment to the safety and welfare of constituents in Benue South.

Signed:
Rt. Hon. George Alli
Senior Legislative Aide

Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, Declares: "I Will Lead the War Against Insecurity in Benue and Flush Out Criminals in Whatever Disguise."

MORE TROUBLES FOR BENUE APC AS PARTY DENIES OMALE AS BENUE PARTY CHAIR

I foresee more troubles for the Alia led APC in the coming days. This is because in the response to the matter before an Abuja Federal High Court 6, filed by Hon. Kaaba challenging the decision of the APC Appeal Committee that submitted names different from the purported primaries held this year, the APC denied Hon. Benjamin Omale as their Benue State Chapter Chairman.

Attached to their submissions are; the injunction barring the party from dissolving the Agada led state Exco, the judgement of the Lower Court and that of the Appeal Court in favour of Hon. Austin Agada including the decision of the National Working Committee of the party reaffirming existing structures of the party before the last non-elective convention.

This means the APC will be reviewing all the judgements before it to take appropriate actions.

Let's keep our fingers crossed to see how the events unfolds.

© Wantaregh Leonard Ikyem Jnr

TERSOO KULA CANNOT HIDE ALIA’S FAILURES BEHIND ATTACKS ON AONDOAKAA

The latest article by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, confirms what many Benue people have already observed over the past three years: whenever difficult questions are asked about Governor Alia’s performance, the administration responds not with facts, but with attacks on political opponents.

Benue people deserve answers, not distractions.

Mr. Kula devoted an entire article to Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN. Yet, in all those paragraphs, he failed to answer the questions that matter most to the people of Benue State.

Three years after Governor Alia assumed office: Why are our communities still under relentless attacks?

Why are thousands of Internally Displaced Persons still unable to return to their ancestral homes despite the Governor’s famous promise to achieve that within 100 days?

Where are the transformative projects that should naturally accompany the unprecedented revenues available to the state since the removal of fuel subsidy?

How have the billions of naira the government claims to be spending on infrastructure, education, healthcare and other sectors annually improved the lives of people across the state?

These, not recycled political attacks, are the issues that will determine the 2027 election.

Mr. Kula astonishingly claims that nobody is challenging Governor Alia on the basis of performance.
That statement is demonstrably false.

For months, opposition political parties, civil society organizations, journalists and other concerned citizens have consistently questioned the administration’s handling of insecurity, education, healthcare, infrastructure, transparency and public finance.

Instead of presenting facts and figures, the government has chosen to recycle stale political arguments. That silence is revealing.

Mr. Kula says integrity is the cornerstone of public service. We agree. But integrity is not measured by speeches or media propaganda.

Integrity is measured by whether a government honours the promises it made to the people.

Governor Alia promised to end insecurity. Benue is still bleeding.
He promised to return IDPs home within 100 days.

More than three years later, thousands remain displaced while many communities are still under attack.

He promised a new era of transparent governance.

Yet, Benue people continue to demand accountability regarding security votes, humanitarian donations, the utilisation of unprecedented federal allocations and other public resources.

Integrity requires answers. Not slogans.

Mr. Kula also attempts to revive judicial comments made years ago concerning Chief Michael Aondoakaa and presents them as though they amount to a criminal conviction or constitutional disqualification. They do not.

The Supreme Court did not convict Chief Michael Aondoakaa of corruption. The Supreme Court did not sentence him for any criminal offence.
The Supreme Court did not bar him from holding public office.

Perhaps Kula does not understand the difference between judicial observations and a criminal conviction. He ought to understand that in a constitutional democracy, every Nigerian is presumed innocent unless found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process.

Selective quotations cannot substitute for legal facts.

More importantly, the people of Benue are not preparing to vote in an election about who served as Attorney General nearly two decades ago.

They are preparing to assess the record of a Governor who has been in office since 2023.

That is the examination Governor Alia cannot avoid.

If integrity is indeed the standard, then Governor Alia should willingly submit his own administration to public scrutiny.
Let Benue people compare promises with delivery.

Let the people compare the security situation in 2023 with the reality today.
Let them compare budgetary allocations with visible projects.

Let the people compare the enormous revenues received by this administration with the condition of our schools, hospitals, rural roads and farming communities.

Let the people compare campaign promises with actual governance.
That is the integrity test that truly matters.

Mr. Kula also attempts to ridicule the ongoing consultations among political stakeholders ahead of 2027.

Political consultations are not crimes. Coalition-building is not corruption.

Democracy is strengthened, not weakened, when citizens and political leaders freely associate, consult and build partnerships around ideas for better governance.

The real issue before Benue people is not who is meeting in Abuja.
The real issue is why farmers cannot safely return to their farms. Why children continue to learn in dilapidated schools. Why healthcare facilities remain inadequate despite huge budgetary allocations.
Why insecurity continues to dominate national headlines.
Why many communities still live under fear.

Those are the questions Mr. Kula should answer. Governor Alia came into office with enormous goodwill.

No reasonable person disputes that. But while goodwill wins elections, performance secures re-election.

The 2027 governorship election will not be decided by press statements filled with personal attacks.
It will be decided by mothers who want their children educated.
By farmers who want to cultivate their ancestral lands without fear.
By displaced families longing to return home.
By young people searching for jobs.
By civil servants, pensioners and other Benue people who expect public resources to translate into public value.

Ultimately, Benue people will not ask who wrote the longest press release. They will ask a far simpler question:
After four years in office, is Benue safer, more prosperous and better governed than it was in 2023?

That is the question Governor Hyacinth Alia and his Chief Press Secretary must answer.

Everything else is a diversion.

Signed:
James Ian
Media Assistant to Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN