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In a bold move to address the growing challenges of illegal leadership and factionalism within youth groups, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Hon. Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya, has imposed a ban on all forms of unrecognized leadership structures. The decision was announced during an interactive session with the Benue State chapter of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
The ban targets the ongoing leadership crisis within PMAN, which has been operating under two parallel factions: the Fidel Shamel/Kpoku group and the Robert Udende faction. The Commissioner has given PMAN a strict seven-day deadline, effective immediately, to reconcile their differences through a peace process chaired by Ancestor Spit, with a report due back to his office.
Hon. Tiza emphasized that factionalism has yielded no benefits for the association and stressed that the current administration will no longer tolerate such divisions. He warned that failure to resolve the crisis could lead to the complete withdrawal of recognition from both sides. “I will not allow, under my watch, any form of illegal youth leadership in this state. Go and tell any person or group fueling and sustaining factions in unions that such practices cannot thrive here in Benue under my leadership as the number one youth leader,” he firmly stated.
The Commissioner also highlighted that the governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has prepared good packages for the association, but the lingering leadership crisis has left the administration uncertain about which faction to recognize, causing setbacks for PMAN. He further clarified that he does not recognize Supersuccess as PMAN Governor or Romeo Nyamatsa as Chairman of any Electoral Committee for fresh elections.
During the session, stakeholders including Alfa Bonny, Supersuccess, Kpoku PLC, Fabian Nyamatsa, Fidel Shamel, and Robert Udende admitted that factionalism had offered no advantages. They commended the Commissioner’s timely intervention and pledged to embrace peace and unity in the interest of the union and the state.
Also speaking, the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Student Affairs, Hon. Jacob Nevka, praised the Commissioner’s efforts to restore dignity to PMAN. He echoed the call for unity under a single leadership, reinforcing that the present administration would not hesitate to withdraw recognition if the crisis persists.
The interactive session, attended by Hon. Jacob Nevka, past and present leaders of PMAN Benue State chapter, and other notable figures including Bonase, Msendoo, Queen Pamela, Nyamgen Gabriel, Nick Thomson, Thompson Iber, Hon. Adah Anthony, Evang. Pupa Dish, Terver Aondoakaa, Dolliz, and others, underscored a collective commitment to resolving the issue. Civir Terhemba Injo Jabi, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Commissioner, confirmed the details of the meeting.
This decisive action reflects the administration’s dedication to fostering genuine leadership and unity among youth organizations in Benue State, aiming to prevent the setbacks caused by divisions observed at the national level.
