Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a prominent PDP chieftain, former Publicity Secretary of the party’s Benue chapter, and declared 2027 governorship aspirant, has sharply condemned the Northern regional security arrangement, calling it a “dangerous compromise” that overlooks Benue’s acute threats from herder invasions and armed militias.
Delivering his critique during a press briefing on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Iortyom – who stepped down from his publicity role to focus on higher aspirations, including serving as spokesman for PDP national chairman hopeful Engr. Conrad Utaan – emphasized that Benue’s security woes demand localized, proactive measures over any pan-Northern initiative.
Standout quotes from Chief Iortyom:
“Benue isn’t just another Northern footnote – our farmlands are battlegrounds, and this so-called regional trust fund is a blanket too thin to cover our wounds.”
“From Abuja’s distant decrees to Kaduna’s one-size-fits-all, we’ve been left exposed. Time for Benue-first defenses, not alliances that dilute our resolve.”
“As a son of the soil eyeing the governorship, I won’t stand for policies that trade our safety for political optics.”
Iortyom’s remarks build on his longstanding advocacy for enhanced state mechanisms like the Community Volunteer Guards, amid criticisms of Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s handling of security funds and federal collaborations.
His pivot to gubernatorial ambitions follows a tenure marked by bold PDP messaging, now channeled into rejecting Benue’s “inclusion” in Northern-led security funds seen as insensitive to Middle Belt dynamics.
Why this escalates:
Benue’s herder-farmer death toll exceeds 2,500 since 2018, fueling demands for autonomy in security planning.
Iortyom’s stance could rally Middle Belt voices against Northern hegemony, straining PDP unity and previewing 2027 battle lines.
Ties to Utaan’s national bid position him as a bridge between state grievances and federal reforms.
Reactions heating up:
Benue locals on media spaces echo, praises for Iortyom, with some referring to him as “the voice we’ve needed.”
Northern critics label it “secessionist rhetoric,” while PDP insiders see it as savvy pre-campaign fire.
Updates incoming as tensions rise. We can’t help but throw in the big question, is Iortyom’s call a game-changer for Benue’s security?
