The Zonal Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress in Benue South Senatorial District, Rt. Comr. John Acha, has responded to comments by Comrade Alidu Mike Magaji, President of OchetohaK’Idoma Youth Wing Worldwide, insisting that Idoma identity and socio-cultural institutions must not be used as instruments for partisan political interests.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Acha said he was reacting to Magaji’s remarks concerning 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.
Acha noted that while Magaji, as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, is entitled to his political views, that affiliation does not give him the mandate to speak politically on behalf of all Idoma people or present a partisan position as the collective stance of OchetohaK’Idoma. He rejected claims that Idoma people supporting the APC administration had betrayed their people because of their political affiliation, stressing that political differences should not be equated with ethnic identity.
“PDP members are Idoma. APC members are Idoma. Supporters of other political parties are equally Idoma,” Acha 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. Criticism of Governor Alia, government officials or specific policies is legitimate within democratic discourse, he added, but such arguments should not be presented as the unanimous position of the Idoma Nation.
Acha further appealed to 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 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, the 31.36km Igumale–Agila Road and the 52km Oju–Awajir Road, which he said had a combined reported contract value of about ₦74.86 billion. He referenced the rehabilitation of the Otobi Waterworks as well as reported interventions in 29 primary schools and 33 primary healthcare centres across Benue South. Acha 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.
The APC youth leader said APC youths would continue to demand more roads, employment opportunities, appointments, investment and other forms of development for the people of Benue South. 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.
