By Oche Odeh
Democracy thrives where history is remembered, justice is respected, and equity is consciously pursued. In the political evolution of Benue South Senatorial District—popularly known as Zone C—the question of representation has never been merely about personalities. It has consistently revolved around balance, fairness, and the moral obligation to ensure that every federal constituency within the district has a fair opportunity to lead.
Benue South comprises several local government areas and is broadly structured into federal constituencies, including Otukpo/Ohimini, Oju/Obi, and Apa/Agatu. Since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, the senatorial seat has rotated among certain blocs within the district, but not without lingering debates about inclusivity and zoning equity.
To properly situate the current conversation, it is important to revisit the senatorial history of the district.
At the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, David Mark emerged as the Senator representing Benue South. His tenure became historic and unprecedented. Not only did he represent the district for two decades (1999–2019), but he also rose to become Nigeria’s Senate President from 2007 to 2015. His long incumbency brought national prominence to Benue South and attracted significant federal presence. However, the extended duration of his tenure also meant that the senatorial seat remained within one political bloc of the district for twenty years.
Following the 2019 general elections, the baton shifted to Abba Moro, who currently represents Benue South in the Senate. His emergence marked a generational and political transition within the district. While his tenure introduced new dimensions to representation, discussions around zoning and equitable distribution of opportunities across federal constituencies intensified.
When one critically examines the pattern since 1999, a clear reality emerges: the senatorial seat has been predominantly occupied by individuals from specific parts of the district. Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, despite its strategic importance and demographic weight, has yet to fully enjoy proportional occupancy of the Senate seat in the same measure as other blocs.
This is where the principle of zoning becomes central to contemporary political discourse.
Zoning, though not constitutionally codified, has become an unwritten but powerful instrument of political stability in Nigeria. It is rooted in the understanding that rotational leadership reduces tension, fosters unity, and deepens inclusion. Within Benue South, zoning has often been informally applied to House of Representatives seats and state-level positions. Therefore, extending that same moral logic to the senatorial seat strengthens internal cohesion.
Apa and Agatu local government areas have historically contributed to the political growth and electoral strength of Benue South. Yet, many political stakeholders argue that equity demands a conscious shift toward giving Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency a clear opportunity to occupy the Senate seat in a structured rotational arrangement.
The argument is not rooted in sentiment; it is grounded in democratic fairness.
For decades, communities in Apa and Agatu have grappled with infrastructural deficits, security vulnerabilities, and agricultural disruptions. Particularly in Agatu, episodes of violent conflicts in past years disrupted livelihoods and displaced families. Apa, largely agrarian, continues to seek stronger federal presence in road construction, irrigation development, youth empowerment, and market access.
Advocates of zoning toward Apa/Agatu contend that direct representation at the Senate level would elevate these issues more assertively within national legislative debates. Representation shapes advocacy. When a Senator emerges from a constituency that understands specific local challenges intimately, those concerns are more likely to receive sustained legislative attention.
It is within this historical and political context that Engineer Gabriel Agidani’s name has entered the conversation.
Supporters of Agidani argue that beyond professional competence, his candidacy aligns with the broader moral logic of rotational justice. They see his aspiration not merely as an individual ambition but as part of a larger corrective movement aimed at balancing senatorial occupancy within Benue South.
The senatorial history of the district reflects stability but also concentration. The extended tenure of past leadership provided continuity, yet democracy equally demands circulation of opportunity. Political inclusiveness strengthens unity across Idoma land and the entire Zone C.
Equity is not about diminishing the contributions of previous office holders. The achievements and national influence recorded under former and current senators remain part of Benue South’s political heritage. However, progress in democratic systems often requires recalibration to ensure no federal constituency feels perpetually peripheral.
Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency occupies a unique socio-political position. Its agricultural potential is immense. Its riverine and rural landscapes hold opportunities for irrigation-driven food production capable of strengthening Benue’s identity as the “Food Basket of the Nation.” Strategic senatorial advocacy could attract federal agricultural schemes, ecological interventions, and rural electrification projects tailored to the terrain.
Furthermore, youth unemployment remains a pressing concern across the constituency. Rotational zoning that favors Apa/Agatu could inspire renewed civic confidence among young people who seek evidence that the political system is responsive and inclusive.
Engineer Gabriel Agidani’s engineering background adds an interesting dimension to the zoning debate. Engineering is a discipline defined by structure, balance, and design. Ironically, the zoning conversation itself is about structural balance in political representation. His supporters often frame him as someone who understands systems — someone capable of navigating legislative frameworks while advocating for grassroots development.
However, zoning alone does not guarantee effective leadership. Competence, integrity, and vision remain indispensable. The electorate must assess not only where a candidate comes from but what he brings to the table. Development in Benue South requires strategic thinking — from infrastructural expansion to agricultural value-chain modernization, from education reform to security collaboration.
Still, history teaches that when political rotation is ignored for too long, it breeds subtle dissatisfaction. Inclusive zoning mitigates such risks. It fosters shared ownership of political power and reduces inter-constituency rivalry.
Benue South stands at a defining moment. After over two decades of largely concentrated senatorial occupancy, many stakeholders believe the time is ripe for a recalibrated political arrangement that consciously integrates Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency into the senatorial leadership cycle.
This is not a call for division; it is a call for deliberate unity through fairness.
If zoning is embraced in its true spirit, it will not weaken the district. Instead, it will reinforce solidarity among Otukpo, Oju, Obi, Ohimini, Apa, and Agatu. Every bloc will see itself reflected in the district’s political leadership over time.
Ultimately, the strength of Benue South lies in its collective identity. From the era of David Mark’s national prominence to the current representation under Abba Moro, the district has played a visible role in Nigeria’s legislative history. The next phase, many argue, should deepen inclusivity and expand opportunity.
Engineer Gabriel Agidani’s emergence within this historical narrative symbolizes more than ambition. It symbolizes a renewed debate about justice, rotation, and the future of equitable representation in Zone C. Whether through him or another credible figure from Apa/Agatu, the principle remains: sustainable democracy is built on balanced participation.
In conclusion, the senatorial history of Benue South is rich, influential, and instructive. Yet history must evolve. Equity, when consciously applied, strengthens unity and accelerates development. As political alignments continue to unfold, the people of Benue South must weigh history alongside hope — ensuring that the next chapter of representation reflects not only competence but fairness.
Oche Odeh, a Public Affairs Analyst Media Consultant and Community development advocate wrote from, Naval Estate Karshi.
