The Benue State Government has intervened in a brewing leadership crisis within the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Benue State Chapter, following controversial congratulatory messages and disputed claims to leadership positions.
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The controversy began when world-acclaimed African music star Innocent “2Baba” Idibia, who serves as technical adviser to the Benue State governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach, congratulated Comrade Fredrick K. Oryina (Super Success) as the “newly elected Executive Council” leader of PMAN Benue State Chapter.
In a statement released through his personal assistant, Itodo Abakpa (Kpoku Plc), 2Baba expressed gratitude to the National Working Committee of PMAN, led by President Pretty Okafor, for creating an enabling environment for what he described as the “Benue PMAN election.” The music icon also promised collaboration with the Benue PMAN leadership to improve the entertainment industry in the state, while appreciating Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for his support of creative industry practitioners.
However, this congratulatory message immediately triggered a response from Hon. Emmanuel Atim, the Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to the Governor on Event Management and Entertainment, who disputed the legitimacy of any such election.
Government Official Challenges Election Claims
In a Facebook post dated August 23rd, Atim expressed concern about individuals “parading themselves as PMAN Governor” without following proper electoral procedures. He stated that anyone aspiring to lead PMAN as Governor must purchase forms from the designated electoral committee and campaign according to the association’s constitution.
“Do not deceive yourself or the public that you are a PMAN governor without an election,” Atim warned in his statement. He stressed that the electoral committee must notify his office about the agreed date, time, and venue for any legitimate election, drawing parallels to the democratic process followed by the Executive Governor of Benue State.
In a follow-up post the same day, Atim provided context about the relationship between state chapters and national bodies, explaining that while state chapters operate as affiliates with some independence, they must still follow constitutional guidelines. He noted that state governments have the authority to intervene in organisational disputes to restore peace, particularly through offices responsible for entertainment matters.
Factional Disputes and Peace Accord
The situation revealed underlying factional disputes within PMAN Benue, with references to both “the acting leadership of PMAN” and “the Fidel Shamel factional group” indicating a split within the organisation. This division appears to have created confusion about legitimate leadership and proper electoral procedures.
Recognising the escalating tensions, the Benue State Government convened a comprehensive peace accord meeting to address the crisis. The meeting brought together various stakeholders, including elders, the acting PMAN leadership, the factional group, and all aspirants seeking leadership positions.
Official Government Resolution
Following “careful investigation, wide consultations, and deliberations,” the government issued an official press release resolving the dispute with specific directives:
The PMAN elections have been officially scheduled for September 14th, 2025, under proper electoral committee supervision. All eligible members wishing to contest any position must obtain nomination forms directly from the Electoral Committee, with a deadline set for September 7th, 2025.
The government advised that aspirants should campaign “freely and fairly” to secure member votes, ensuring a democratic process. Most significantly, the resolution warned that anyone found “parading himself or herself as a PMAN Governor, or impersonating PMAN leadership, or creating any form of crisis within the State in the name of PMAN, shall be decisively dealt with and handed over to law enforcement agencies.”
Call for Unity and Due Process
Hon. Emmanuel Atim’s office called on all entertainment industry stakeholders to “maintain peace, order, and respect for due process as we collectively work towards strengthening the sector.”
As the September 14th election date approaches, all eyes will be on whether the various factions can unite under the government-supervised process and whether the controversy sparked by 2Baba’s premature congratulatory message will be resolved through proper democratic channels.
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