SAN Sebastine Hon Joins Benue Governorship Race

A prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastine Hon, has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2027 Benue State governorship election, announcing his intention to unseat incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia. Hon made the announcement during separate consultation visits to his maternal kindred in the Mbayion clan and Mbatiav communities in the Gboko Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, the consultations, which were held in Ihungwanor and Akapher communities, were informal and in line with electoral laws, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to lift the ban on campaigns. Hon explained that his decision to seek the governorship was divinely inspired, and he expressed confidence in his chances of victory in 2027.

Addressing the issue of zoning, Hon argued that the arrangement has been inconsistently applied over the years, insisting that a closer examination of Benue’s political history reveals an imbalance. He pointed out that former governors Aper Aku, Rev. Moses Orshio Adasu, and Gabriel Suswam, all from Zone A, had cumulative tenures totaling about 18 years and 17 days, while Governor Alia is expected to complete a four-year tenure.

In contrast, Hon noted that Zone B, represented by former governors George Akume and Samuel Ortom, had governed the state for a combined 16 years, with each serving a single eight-year term. The professor of law further argued that recent political decisions and appointments by Governor Alia had effectively weakened the zoning arrangement in the state, citing examples such as the allocation of the Vandeikya Local Government chairmanship to Kyan instead of Tiev, and the relocation of the Speaker’s position from Jemgbagh to the MINDA bloc.

Several speakers at the meetings, including former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajo, and a stakeholder in Mbayion, Terfa Chagba, expressed support for Hon’s candidacy, arguing that every qualified aspirant should be free to contest the 2027 governorship election, given that all zones in Benue have produced governors.

Hon’s visit to the Mbatiav Traditional Council at its council hall in Akapher, where he paid homage to traditional rulers and sought their blessings, was a highlight of the Mbatiav consultation.

The traditional leaders are expected to play a significant role in shaping the political landscape in Benue, and Hon’s gesture is seen as a strategic move to win their support.

As the 2027 governorship election draws near, the political temperature in Benue is expected to rise, with several aspirants jostling for position. Hon’s entry into the fray is seen as a significant development, given his reputation as a seasoned lawyer and professor of law.

The question on everyone’s lips is: will he be able to unseat Governor Alia and bring a new perspective to the state’s leadership?