By Francis Ter
Makurdi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has put politicians on notice: with insecurity still battering the state, reckless campaigns will not get a free pass from the press. The warning came as former Special Adviser on International Investment, Hon. Alex Addingi, stormed the NUJ Secretariat to declare for the Buruku Federal Constituency seat, hanging his 2027 bid on a 75-year zoning imbalance and a blunt development indictment of his home LGA.
NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, disclose to aspirants that the media will enforce accountability.
“Journalists would report his aspiration with fairness and professionalism,” Ugber said, but immediately raised the stakes: “I am calling on political actors in the state to maintain civility in their campaigns in view of prevailing security challenges.”
On the issue of inssue of banditry, kidnappings, and communal attacks still plaguing Benue, Ugber made clear that the NUJ will not amplify hate speech or incitement disguised as politics. The union wants issue-based coverage, not body bags.
The state NUJ Chairman Comr.Ugber praised Addingi’s “longstanding relationship with the media and his organized approach,” signaling that structure and access matter to journalists covering the 2027 cycle.
He added that the NUJ is committed to balanced reporting of Addingi’s bid, but tied that fairness to candidate conduct. Civility, Ugber insisted, is now a security imperative.
On the issue of Zoning where Amber is shortchanged for 75yesrs.
Addingi, now APC pointman in Buruku LGA, unveiled his ambition first at the APC State Secretariat before facing the press at NUJ House. His core argument is raw numbers from 1952–2027:
Development Area Years in Reps
Mbalagh 21 years, 11 months
Mbatie 10 years, 11 months
Mbagen 9 years, 4+ months
Amber 4 years
Tombo bloc (Mbalagh + Mbatie): 32 years, 10 months. Nyamatsor bloc (Mbagen + Amber): 13 years, 4 months.
“There is a clear political representation, with Tombo receiving a significantly higher share of leadership positions over time,” Addingi told journalists. He called Amber’s 4-year total a zoning injustice that makes his candidacy a matter of equity.
The former Advisor to Governor Hyacinth Alia gave NUJ a brutal status report on Buruku: “I have been serving my people, and I have discovered that Buruku is very backward in terms of development. You can’t point to five young doctors; we don’t have architects, scientists, or engineers. We are also backward in agriculture.”
He cited his aganda to NUJ and Buruku
as
Science infrastructure: Equip at least four schools with labs; push science-based education.
Water beyond politics: Continue borehole rehabilitation. “This is not political. This is what I have been doing regularly, whether I am in the House of Representatives or not.”
Security via settlement reform: Link dispersed Tiv settlements to easy attacks; vow to push Land Use Act implementation. “I will ensure the implementation of the Land Use Act to address this.”
Palm oil economy:* Scale palm seedling distribution along riverbanks to make Buruku a palm oil hub in Benue.
5,000 youths trained: Entrepreneurship and digital skills program.
About his Credentials and Compliance
Addingi cited seven years at NAFDAC — “The NAFDAC job took me round the world, and I built bridges across the world” — and his role under Governor Hyacinth Alia developing a state investment digital platform and staging Benue’s first international investment summit. He resigned as Special Adviser before the March 30, 2026 deadline for appointees seeking office.
He also flagged his APC mobilization record: Buruku placed third of 23 LGAs in the recent e-registration drive. “Based on the synergy we have created in Buruku and across the state, the governor will get 95 per cent support,” he told NUJ.
APC State Chairman Benjamin Omale called Addingi “the right man for the job” after his manifesto, stressing “elections are won by performance.” Deputy Chairman Alphonsus Indyur assured him of an open platform. Stakeholder Kuma Aii Yenge labeled him “tested and trusted.”
Ugber’s parting message was to all aspirants, not just Addingi: maintain civility or own the consequences. With journalists under pressure to filter fact from fuel, the NUJ is positioning itself as gatekeeper in a volatile cycle.
At both APC and NUJ secretariats, Addingi distributed improved palm seedlings to leaderships for members — a symbolic nod to economic empowerment that the NUJ said strengthens media independence.
NUJ won’t be a megaphone for chaos. Addingi’s zoning data puts Tombo bloc dominance on trial. Buruku’s backward metrics are now campaign weapons. And with seedlings in hand, the press just got handed a test: will coverage reward substance, or sensationalism?
