Sabastine Hon, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Monday consulted his Mbayion Clan and Mbatiav, his maternal home, over his intention to contest the Benue State governorship election in 2027.
The consultations were held separately in Ihungwanor and Akapher communities, both in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
The meetings were described as informal and in compliance with electoral laws, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet lifted the ban on campaigns.
Hon told his hosts that his governorship ambition was divinely inspired, expressing confidence that he would take over Government House in 2027.
Speaking on zoning, he argued that the arrangement has been unevenly applied when the years each zone has governed the state are critically examined.
He stated that “Zone A governed under Aper Aku for four years and three months, Moses Orshio Adasu, a rev. father for one year, 10 months and 17 days, and Gabriel Suswam for eight years, with Governor Hyacinth Alia expected to complete a four-year tenure”.
According to him, these periods amount to a cumulative total of 18 years, one month and 17 days in power for Zone A.
In contrast, Hon said Zone B has governed the state for only 16 years, with Senator George Akume and Samuel Ortom serving eight years each.
He further contended that Governor Alia has effectively abolished zoning through recent political decisions and appointments, citing examples such as the allocation of the Vandeikya chairmanship to Kyan instead of Tiev, the Kwande chairmanship to Shangev-Ya instead of Turan, and the relocation of the Speaker’s position from Jemgbagh to MINDA.
Responding seperatly, Aondona Dajo, immediate past Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Terfa Usoho, former President-General of the Mbatiav Development Association and Terfa Chagba, a stakeholder in Mbayion maintained that since all zones in Benue have produced governors, every qualified aspirant is eligible to contest the 2027 governorship election.
Highlight of the Mbatiav consultation was Hon’s visit to the Mbatiav Traditional Council at the council hall in Akapher.
