APC Benue South Youth Leader Replies Magaji, Says Idoma Unity Must Not Be Used for Politics

 

 

OTUKPO, BENUE — September 17, 2026: The Zonal Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue South Senatorial District, Rt. Comr. John Acha, has responded to a recent statement by Comrade Alidu Mike Magaji, President of OchetohaK’Idoma Youth Wing Worldwide, urging that the Idoma identity and socio-cultural institutions should not be used as instruments for partisan political interests.

Acha, in a statement issued on Thursday, said he was responding to Magaji’s comments regarding the recent engagement of Hon. Terver Gbenda in Otukpo.

He maintained that OchetohaK’Idoma is fundamentally a socio-cultural organisation and should not be presented as a political party or electoral authority representing the collective political position of the Idoma people.

According to him, while Magaji, as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is entitled to his political views, such affiliation does not give him the mandate to speak politically on behalf of all Idoma people or present a partisan position as the collective position of OchetohaK’Idoma.

Acha also challenged claims that Zone C had experienced little or no development under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

He cited road projects including the 43.5km Obagaji–Okokolo–Agagbe Road, 31.36km Igumale–Agila Road and 52km Oju–Awajir Road, which he said had a combined reported contract value of about ₦74.86 billion.

He further referenced the rehabilitation of the Otobi Waterworks, as well as reported interventions in 29 primary schools and 33 primary healthcare centres across Benue South.

The APC youth leader also pointed to the National Food City Project in Otukpo, describing it as a major agro-industrial public-private partnership intended to support agriculture, processing, logistics and investment in the area.

However, Acha acknowledged that the reported projects do not mean all challenges confronting Zone C have been resolved.

“These interventions do not mean that every problem in Zone C has been solved. They simply make the blanket assertion that there is ‘no development’ intellectually indefensible,” he stated.

He said APC youths would continue to demand more roads, employment opportunities, appointments, investment and other forms of development for the people of Benue South.

Acha also rejected claims that Idoma people supporting the APC administration had betrayed their people because of their political affiliation.

He stressed that political differences should not be equated with ethnic identity, noting that Idoma people belong to different political parties.

“PDP members are Idoma. APC members are Idoma. Supporters of other political parties are equally Idoma,” he said.

He urged political actors to distinguish between legitimate criticism of government performance and attempts to portray individuals with opposing political views as betrayers of the Idoma people.

According to him, criticism of Governor Alia, government officials or specific policies is legitimate within democratic discourse, but such arguments should not be presented as the unanimous position of the Idoma Nation.

Acha further appealed to Comrade Magaji and others to keep OchetohaK’Idoma above partisan politics and preserve it as a unifying socio-cultural platform for Idoma people irrespective of political affiliation.

He concluded by reaffirming the APC youths’ support for Governor Hyacinth Alia, Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode and the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Zone C is not abandoned. Zone C is developing. And Zone C will continue to demand more,” Acha said.

The statement was signed by Rt. Comr. John Acha, Zonal Youth Leader, APC Benue South Senatorial District.