Apa Youths Reject Ojema’s Second-Term Bid Over Zoning Dispute
By Staff Reporter.
The Apa Youths Arise Movement has openly rejected the second-term ambition of Hon. Pastor Ojotu Ojema, citing alleged attempts to undermine the existing zoning arrangement between Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas in Benue State.
The position was made known by the National Convener of the movement, Comrade Paul G. Edoh Jr., during a media briefing shortly after the Apa Youths Open Air Campaign held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Ugbokpo Primary School.
According to Edoh, the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, youths, elders, women groups, and political actors across the constituency. He said the movement passed a formal Vote of No Confidence on Ojema’s second-term ambition, alleging that the lawmaker was attempting to alter the 2010 zoning agreement established to ensure fairness, peace, political balance, and mutual coexistence within the constituency.
He maintained that Apa Local Government Area has occupied the federal seat for only eight years, while Agatu Local Government Area is approaching twenty years of representation, warning that any move to disrupt the arrangement could threaten political stability and unity within the constituency.
Edoh further disclosed that several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and National Democratic Coalition, had continued to align with the zoning principle, insisting that 2027 remains Apa’s turn to produce the next member of the House of Representatives.
The movement also accused Ojema of allegedly reneging on an earlier understanding reached during consultations in 2023 to serve only a single tenure for Agatu extraction.
The group called on traditional rulers, political leaders, youths, women, and other stakeholders to defend the zoning arrangement and support Apa’s agenda in the interest of justice, equity, peace, and sustainable political coexistence.
The open air campaign reportedly attracted supporters, community stakeholders, youths, and political observers from across Apa Local Government Area.