Alia Explains Opposition To Automatic Tickets For Benue APC Lawmakers

-says blanket arrangement could undermine zoning, trigger voter backlash

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has explained why he opposed an alleged directive by President Bola Tinubu granting automatic return tickets to serving All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the state.

Alia, who addressed the issue through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, said the reported arrangement could conflict with Benue’s longstanding tradition of zoning and rotational leadership.

The governor said the alleged directive had not been independently verified, adding that if it was indeed issued by the President, it might have been based on incomplete or inaccurate information about the state’s political dynamics and the expectations of voters.

He described the reported policy as potentially “self-defeating”, arguing that disregarding established zoning arrangements could generate resentment among voters and weaken the APC’s electoral prospects in Benue.

Alia cited the Tiv principle of rotational leadership, popularly known as “ya na angbian”, meaning “eat and pass to your brother”, as a significant influence on political representation in the state.

He also linked the principle’s emergence in national political discourse partly to the late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka.

According to the governor, Benue voters have traditionally resisted prolonged occupation of elective positions by individual politicians, preferring a system that allows leadership opportunities to rotate among different interests.

He cited former Senate President David Mark and former Benue State Governor, Senator George Akume, as examples of politicians who secured multiple mandates, describing such cases as relatively uncommon in the state’s political history.

“Our people detest sitting tight in leadership. They prefer to rotate,” Alia was quoted as saying, warning that attempts to disregard this preference could trigger protests or protest votes.

He maintained that political parties in Benue had generally taken zoning and rotational arrangements into account when selecting candidates, noting that the practice reflected the expectations of the electorate.

The governor argued that granting automatic tickets to all serving APC lawmakers, irrespective of their previous tenure or existing zoning agreements, could deepen internal divisions and undermine party unity.

He also questioned the motives of those allegedly behind the proposal, suggesting that some political actors might be seeking to weaken the APC in Benue and subsequently hold him responsible for the consequences.

“Whoever gave that advice knew he was planting landmines for Governor Alia and the APC in Benue State. That was pitching the Governor against the people,” he said.