19/01/2026
On the Continued Marginalization of Apa/Agatu and the Imperative of Justice in the 2026 Chairmanship
By Idris Ehi Natty
19/01/2026
Dear Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, Benue State Chapter,
This letter is written not out of bitterness, but out of political responsibility. It is written because silence, in the face of repeated injustice, has now become complicity. The continued marginalization of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency within the Benue APC is no longer a matter of internal adjustment—it is a political error with far-reaching consequences.
Politics thrives on balance, equity, and inclusion. Any party that persistently sidelines a loyal and strategic constituency is not strengthening itself; it is deliberately weakening its own foundation. For years, the internal power structure of the APC in Zone C has operated in a manner that systematically excludes Apa/Agatu, despite its consistent loyalty and electoral relevance.
Since the creation of Benue State, Apa/Agatu has never produced a Deputy Governor, a Senator, or a State Party Chairman under the APC and other political parties. Yet, election after election, Apa/Agatu delivers votes, sustains party structures, and defends the APC at the grassroots—often at great political cost. This pattern is not accidental. It is exploitation disguised as party loyalty.
After Comrade Abba Yaro of Ogbadibo Local Government presided over the Benue APC Chairmanship for twelve uninterrupted years, political logic, fairness, and zoning arrangements demanded a shift to Apa/Agatu. Instead, the chairmanship was recycled within the same local government, resulting in the emergence of Mr. Austin Agada. This decision sent a clear and damaging message: influence outweighs equity, and loyalty is expendable.
The same injustice was repeated with the Deputy Governorship slot. Originally zoned to Apa/Agatu, it was later diverted to Otukpo Local Government, allowing Engr. Benson Abounu to complete his tenure. When zoning agreements are consistently altered to the disadvantage of one constituency, the implication is unmistakable—Apa/Agatu is expected to serve without ever being served.
Let it be stated clearly: no constituency can be treated as a political workhorse indefinitely without consequences. A party that denies a committed bloc visibility, authority, and ownership is inviting internal rebellion, whether silent or overt. Apa/Agatu has demonstrated restraint, discipline, and commitment to party unity, but restraint must not be mistaken for political irrelevance or weakness.
The 2026 congress presents the APC with a defining choice. You can either correct this long-standing imbalance or institutionalize injustice. Refusing Apa/Agatu the Benue State APC Chairmanship will not preserve unity—it will expose the party’s internal contradictions and deepen fractures within Zone C.
Granting the chairmanship to Apa/Agatu is not an act of charity. It is a strategic necessity and a moral obligation. It will restore trust, stabilize party structures, and project the APC as a party capable of rewarding loyalty and managing diversity. More importantly, it will deprive opposition forces of the opportunity to exploit grievances that their actions has created.
Apa/Agatu is not asking for favors.
Apa/Agatu is demanding fairness.
Apa/Agatu has earned its turn.
In 2026, equity must move beyond rhetoric and become policy.
The APC must act now—or accept full responsibility for the political consequences of continued exclusion.
