Governor Alia and Youth Commissioner Orya concerned about the factionalism in Benue creative industries
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Orya’s Decisive Intervention
The lingering crisis rocking the Benue State chapter of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) may be heading for resolution, following a decisive intervention by the state government.
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On Tuesday, September 16, the Benue State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Hon. Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya, announced a ban on all forms of factional and unrecognised leadership within youth groups across the state. The directive was specifically aimed at the two rival factions of PMAN, led by Fidel Shamel and Abakpa Itodo aka Kpoku PLC on the one hand and Robert Udende on the other, which have been locked in a protracted leadership tussle.
Orya and some of the artists bantering after the meeting.
“I will not allow, under my watch, any form of illegal youth leadership in this state,” Hon. Tiza declared during an interactive session with both factions in Makurdi. He further issued a seven-day ultimatum for the musicians’ body to reconcile and report back to his office, with veteran entertainment expert, Josef Owoicho Igomu (referred to as Ancestor Spitz in the press release) appointed to chair the peace process.
Carrot and Stick
The Commissioner emphasised that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has packages lined up to support PMAN but has been reluctant to implement them due to the internal divisions. He dismissed claims of recognition for Supersuccess as PMAN Governor or Romeo Nyamatsa as chairman of any electoral committee, reiterating that unity must precede government support.
AkweyaTV learnt that stakeholders at the meeting, including Supersuccess, Kpoku PLC, Fabian Yaga, Fidel Shamel, and Robert Udende, admitted that factionalism had brought no benefits to the association. They commended the Commissioner’s intervention and pledged to work towards reconciliation.
The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Student Affairs, Hon. Jacob Nevka, also lauded the move, stressing that the government would no longer tolerate factions within youth organisations and may withdraw recognition from both sides if the crisis persists.
The meeting drew attendance from past and present PMAN leaders such as Bonase, Queen Pamela, Nyamgen Gabriel, Nick Thompson, former PMAN Governor in the state, Hon. Adah Anthony aka Tony Trigger, and Evang. Pupa Dish, among others.
All Praises for Wisdom
The intervention by Hon. Orya, who was among the commissioners recently inaugurated by Governor Hyacinth Alia, has since attracted praise even beyond the state. On Thursday, September 18, PMAN’s National Secretary, Aita Bonny, issued a public statement on his personal Facebook page thanking the Benue State Government for what he described as a “bold step” towards peace and progress in the creative industry.
“The wisdom demonstrated in uniting and harmonising all factions for an all-inclusive leadership is highly commendable,” Aita Bonny, an Afro dancehall artist, wrote. “We wholeheartedly embrace the directive and look forward to seeing peace fully restored within the stipulated one week.”
Tense atmosphere at the meeting as all sides canvassed their positions.
Other players have also weighed in. Romeo Nyamatsa, an aspirant for Governor of the Benue PMAN, described the Commissioner’s intervention as “a landmark” and credited the association’s patron, Dave Padopads Awunah, alongside government aides Emmanuel Atim and Mfater Mikael Kaha, for pushing tirelessly for reconciliation. “This breakthrough marks the end of unnecessary crisis and the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration, growth, and progress for the music and entertainment industry in Benue State,” he said.
Outgoing Acting Governor, Robert Udende, commenting on the Commissioner’s Facebook post, added: “We sincerely appreciate the vibrant and amiable Honourable Commissioner for your intervention to unite the union for future challenges. Your instruction shall be adhered to by all concerned, so as to give the union a lifewire.”
Former Benue PMAN Governor Ras Fidel Shamel, who told AkweyaTV recently that he conducted a election under the directive of a factional national president, Pretty Okafor, also welcomed the move with a terse endorsement by sharing the Commissioner’s personal Facebook post on the matter the comment: “The way to go!!!”
Will the Carrot Work?
With all factions seemingly aligned behind the Commissioner’s call for unity, AkweyaTV notes that observers are cautiously optimistic. The mood across social media suggests relief, with many musicians praising Hon. Tiza Orya for what they see as a “magic wand” approach to resolving long-standing disputes.
Governor Alia and Youth Commissioner Orya concerned about the factionalism in Benue creative industries
But as the seven-day countdown ticks, one question lingers: is this truce truly the dawn of lasting peace in PMAN Benue, or merely a temporary reprieve? For now, at least, all eyes remain on Makurdi.
Local Crisis Mirrors National Fault Lines
The Benue PMAN dispute is not an isolated case. Across Nigeria, many creative and professional unions have been plagued by parallel leaderships, contested elections, and legal tussles that weaken their ability to negotiate for members’ welfare. Tbis is worse in the era of concerns over the role of AI and royalties administration. PMAN itself has faced a long history of factional crises at the national level, often spilling down into state chapters.
Analysts note that the Benue government’s intervention represents both a test case and a warning. On one hand, it signals a growing willingness of state governments to step in when industry bodies become dysfunctional. On the other, it raises questions about how much external pressure can achieve in the absence of genuine internal reform. You would recall that the government recently intervened in the conflict by scheduling September 14 for an election. That election was postponed.
For Benue’s musicians, the coming days are critical. If the ultimatum succeeds in getting the musicians to resolve their disputes without the Honourable Commissioner wielding a big stick, the state could reclaim its place in Nigeria’s creative economy, benefitting from the Governor’s promised “packages” for the entertainment sector. If not, PMAN risks joining the list of youth organisations sidelined by government for lack of cohesion in a civil service-dominated state that the government plays a major role in patronage for the creative industries.
Either way, the Benue experience illustrates a broader reality: unity is no longer optional for Nigeria’s creative unions. Without it, opportunities will continue to slip away to better-organised counterparts.
AkweyaTV is watching. Recently, we reported how a Vice President of PMAN, who also hails from Benue resigned his appointment, citing the controversies as reason.
