Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State have officially zoned the State House of Assembly seat to the Ngyenev Block, bringing clarity to weeks of consultations and reinforcing the party’s internal zoning tradition.
The decision was reached during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, where party leaders, elders, and political actors gathered to deliberate on the zoning arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ukum LGA operates a long-standing zoning system that rotates key political offices between two blocs—Ngyenev and AFIA—to ensure equity, balance, and inclusiveness. A central principle of the arrangement prevents both the House of Assembly seat and the Local Government Chairmanship from being held by the same bloc at the same time.
Addressing the gathering, party leaders revisited the historical context of the zoning structure. The immediate past Assembly member, Hon. Thomas Mlanga, emerged from the AFIA Block, while the then Council Chairman, Hon. Kartyo, was from the Ngyenev Block. In line with the zoning formula, the Assembly seat was expected to rotate to Ngyenev but was temporarily “loaned” back to AFIA to maintain balance.
This arrangement led to the emergence of the current Assembly member, Hon. Ezra Nyiyongo, from the Mbaterem component of AFIA Block, while the current Council Chairman, Hon. Jonathan Modi, also emerged from Ngyenev following a similar adjustment involving the chairmanship position.
At the latest meeting, stakeholders confirmed that the Mbaterem component of AFIA Block had formally returned the previously loaned Assembly seat to the Ngyenev Block. The seat was subsequently zoned to the Akambetanya component, with further micro-zoning placing it in Kendev Council Ward.
Prominent figures who contributed to the deliberations included the APC Chairman in Ukum LGA, Hon. Godwin Ukum; Council Chairman, Hon. Jonathan Modi; APC State Secretary, Hon. Solomon Kachina; Hon. B. T. Ashaver; Barr. Usange Sullah; Elder Denise Ugo; Barr. Bernard Nule; Hon. Thomas Mlanga; Hon. Steve Atia; and other key stakeholders.
In a unanimous resolution, the stakeholders not only affirmed the zoning arrangement but also endorsed Hon. Andrew Aondofa Chila as the preferred consensus candidate for the Ukum State Constituency seat.
The endorsement is seen by political observers as a strategic move to foster unity within the party and avoid internal disputes ahead of the elections. By adopting a consensus candidate early, the APC in Ukum is positioning itself for a more coordinated and formidable campaign.
Speaking after the meeting, participants emphasized the need for all party members to respect the outcome and work collectively toward electoral success, noting that unity remains the party’s strongest asset.
With the zoning issue now settled and a consensus candidate in place, attention is expected to shift toward grassroots mobilization and consolidation of support across the wards of Ukum LGA as the 2027 elections draw closer.
