The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State has zoned its state chairmanship position to Zone B, a move widely interpreted as a strategic political balancing act amid rising agitation for an Idoma governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
The decision followed the report of a seven-member zoning
committee constituted by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party on
March 23, 2026, to ensure equitable distribution of State Executive Committee
(EXCO) positions across the three senatorial districts.
The committee, inaugurated at the party’s state secretariat
in Makurdi, was set up in line with guidance from the party’s national
leadership after a peace accord meeting in Abuja. It was mandated to propose a
zoning formula that reflects inclusiveness, coalition balance, and internal
party democracy.
According to the committee’s report, the position of State
Chairman was zoned to Zone B, while the State Secretary went to Zone C. The
zoning arrangement distributed 18 executive positions equally across the three
senatorial districts, allocating six positions to each zone.
Under the zoning template:
Zone B received:
State Chairman (ADC)
Organizing Secretary (ADC)
Auditor (PDP)
Publicity Secretary (LP)
Coordinator INEC/Electoral Matters (APGA)
Vice Chairman (APC)
The development is significant politically, as Zone B
largely represents the Idoma-speaking area where agitation for governorship
power shift has intensified in recent months. Analysts say the allocation of
the chairmanship to the zone could strengthen the bloc’s bargaining position
ahead of 2027.
The zoning committee was chaired by Cdre Joseph Zumve (rtd),
with Hon. Friday Ochigbo serving as secretary. Other members included Hon.
Terlumun O. Ankyese, Mrs. Lucy Fadumila Onyekwu, Hon. Ayosu Ikyor Sylvester,
Hon. Terungwa Achiligh and Hon. Iorliam Manasseh.
The committee comprised representatives of different
political tendencies within the coalition, including ADC, APC, LP, APGA and
PDP, reflecting the party’s multi-platform alliance structure.
The committee said it adopted an equity-driven formula after
identifying 18 available positions and agreeing that each senatorial district
should receive six offices.
Zone A was allocated positions such as Deputy Chairman,
Youth Leader, Treasurer and Chief Whip, while Zone C received State Secretary,
Woman Leader, Legal Adviser, Financial Secretary and others.
The report also noted that the zoning considered the
directive of the National Working Committee that ADC should retain at least 30
percent of executive positions across the zones.
Party insiders say the zoning decision was also influenced
by the fact that the party’s national leadership is already associated with
Zone C, making it politically expedient to move the state chairmanship to Zone
B to maintain balance.
Observers believe the move may calm internal tensions while
strengthening coalition cohesion ahead of congresses and the 2027 electoral
cycle.
State Chairman, Hon. Celestine Orbunde, urged members to
prioritize unity and avoid actions capable of undermining party progress. He
emphasized that the zoning arrangement was designed to promote fairness,
representation and due process.
The committee was earlier given three days to complete its
assignment and submit its recommendations for ratification by the State Working
Committee.
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