By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The All Middle Belt Youth Forum (AMBYF) has thrown its weight behind the lawmaker representing Benue South District, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro over his recent criticisms of the state government’s lack of developmental presence in that part of the state.

The lawmaker has severally alleged that the present administration in the state has deliberately refused to channel development projects to the Southern District of the state.

In a statement titled “Abba Moro-Alia Debate: A Moment for Reflection in Benue South Politics,” AMBYF National Leader Moses Odeh said the Senator’s remarks highlighted longstanding concerns about uneven development across Benue State.

“While some view Senator Moro’s intervention as a courageous defence of the interests of the Idoma people and other ethnic nationalities in Benue South, others dismissed it as a political move ahead of the 2027 elections. But beyond politics, the issues he raised deserve sober and objective examination,” Odeh stated.

The statement pointed to a perceived imbalance in the distribution of state projects, with major infrastructure initiatives concentrated in Zones A and B, particularly in Makurdi and Gboko, while Otukpo, the cultural and administrative heart of the Idoma people, remained largely untouched.

“Travelling across Benue South, one struggles to identify projects that demonstrate a significant presence of the state government comparable to Zones A and B,” Odeh said.

He also noted that higher education development had disproportionately favoured Tiv-speaking areas, with the Benue State Polytechnic in Ugbokolo yet to receive serious consideration for an upgrade to a University of Technology.

He pointed out that security concerns further complicates the picture noting that repeated attacks by armed herdsmen had disrupted livelihoods and displaced communities, “and critics argue that the state government’s response has been insufficient.”

According to him “despite these challenges, Senator Moro’s legislative record shows notable efforts to advance the region’s interests. Among his achievements are advocacy for Local Government Financial Autonomy and the sponsorship of the bill establishing the North Central Development Commission, a strategic initiative to address developmental deficits in the area.

“Senator Moro has also facilitated key federal appointments for citizens of Benue South. These positions, if leveraged effectively, can create opportunities for youth employment and attract federal development projects,” Odeh added.

He observed that the debate had also reignited discussions about political representation for the Idoma people, particularly the prospect of an Idoma governorship candidate in 2027, stressing that advocates argue that historical contributions of the Idoma nation in the formation of Benue State justified calls for equitable political inclusion.

Odeh emphasized that Senator Moro’s intervention should not be dismissed as political rhetoric but viewed as a prompt for reflection on governance, equity, and inclusion. “It is a call to ensure that every community in Benue feels represented, protected, and included in the state’s developmental agenda,” he said.

As the state edges closer to the next political cycle, AMBYF urged leaders across all divides to channel discussions into constructive solutions that promote unity rather than deepen divisions.

“The aspirations of the Idoma people and other ethnic groups in Benue South are rooted in legitimate expectations of fairness, dignity, and progress,” Odeh emphasized.