Benue Govt Bans Illegal Youth Groups, Orders PMAN to End Crisis

The Benue State Government has banned all illegal youth groups and alternative leadership structures, warning that factional activities will no longer be tolerated.

As part of the directive, the government has given the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Benue chapter, a seven-day deadline to resolve its long-standing leadership crisis.

For years, PMAN in Benue has been split between two rival factions:

• The Robert Udende camp

• The Fidel Shamel/Kpoku group

This division has weakened the association’s influence and stalled government engagement with the entertainment sector.

At a meeting with both factions on Tuesday, Hon. Tiza Isaac Imojime Orya, Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, issued a stern directive:

• All illegal youth leadership groups are banned in the state.

• PMAN must return within seven days with a peace agreement.

• The state will only engage with “genuine leaders with values.”

Orya stressed that the infighting has prevented Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration from fully integrating the entertainment industry into its development agenda.

During the meeting, several stakeholders, including Robert Udende, Alfa Bonny, Supersuccess, Kpoku PLC, Fabian Yaga, Fabian Nyamatsa, and Fidel Shamel, acknowledged that the division has yielded no benefits. They promised to embrace peace and unity.

Hon. Jacob Nevka, the Governor’s Principal Special Assistant on Youth and Student Affairs, cautioned that if the factions fail to comply, the government may withdraw recognition of PMAN entirely.

Also present at the peace parley were current and former PMAN leaders such as Bonase, Msendoo, Queen Pamela, Nyamgen Gabriel, Nick Thomson, Thompson Iber, Hon. Adah Anthony, Evang. Pupa Dish, Terver Aondoakaa, and Dolliz.