Who Sent John Akperashi to Afia?

By Iorliam Shija

Before 2009, Chief Ternenge John Akperashi Gum, popularly known as Ikpamkor i Kwande (The Voice of Kwande) was already a formidable voice across Kwande and beyond. As one of Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo’s most loyal and longest-standing protégés, he mastered Benue politics early. He also founded a daring news magazine that fearlessly held leaders accountable, cementing his reputation as a bold public advocate.

In 2009, during his 77th birthday celebrations, the late Ter Kwande, HRH Ityowua James Adzape Igino, honoured a select group of distinguished sons of Kwande. Those honoured included Late Marquis Hemba – Atakpa u Kwande, Late Rt Hon. Gbalamen Simon Kwaggbula – Akinde u Kwande, Chief Emmanuel Viashima Anghar – A Kwande, Terlumun Jonathan Akputu – Asortar u Kwande, Chief Patrick Enyigoro – Uma Hemba Nyaregh u Kwande, Chief Enyiola Omisore – Zege Hur or U Kwande, Chief Ternenge John Akperashi – Ikpamkor i Kwande

The title Ikpamkor, meaning “The Voice of Kwande,” gave Akperashi not only recognition but also a moral mandate to speak boldly for his people. That is why his bombshell last week sounded so loud. But it also raised questions. 

Since 1999, Kwande/Ushongo has remained the most politically marginalised bloc in Benue North-East (Zone A). Of the zone’s three blocs:Sankera: Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Logo, Jechira: Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande: Kwande, Ushongo, the Senate seat has rotated for 24 years between Sankera and Jechira: Sankera – 16 years, Jechira – 12 years , Kwande – 0 years. 

Governorship history has been equally unkind to Kwande. Aper Aku’s tenure (1979–1983) ended in a coup. Jechira’s attempt in 1992 also suffered a similar military interruption. Meanwhile, other blocs have enjoyed full 8-year democratic tenures since 1999.

In 2023, both Jechira and Kwande contested strongly for governorship. Again, the pendulum swung towards Jechira through Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Vandeikya.

With 2027 approaching, Kwande faces a strategic dilemma: Should the bloc push for the Senate or insist on finally taking the governorship?

Within Kwande, two tendencies have emerged, recently The Ter Kwande, HRH Timothy Ahile, insisted that no sitting governor has lost re-election since 1999. Therefore Kwande should avoid a futile governorship battle and focus on the Senate. Meanwhile, leading politicians from Kwande and Ushongo believe the moment is ripe for governorship. They have been consulting national leaders like SGF George Akume and former Governor Samuel Ortom, arguing that Kwande’s turn is long overdue.

Last Sunday in Afia, Ukum LGA, Chief Akperashi delivered a shocker. As Ikpamkor, he told the Sankera people to keep the Senate slot, an endorsement that strengthens the ambitions of the incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende and emboldens Gabriel Suswam, who still eyes the seat. Even more striking was his directive that Sankera should dismiss any senatorial campaign from Kwande. A statement that weighty cannot go unnoticed.

So the questions are Was he speaking For the Kwande traditional institution?, For political elders? For hidden power brokers? Or purely from personal conviction as Ikpamkor? Whatever the source, one truth is clear, When the man called “The Voice of Kwande” tells another bloc to keep what Kwande has never had, the question becomes bigger than the statement itself.

So who truly sent John Akperashi to Afia ?