Seven Senatorial Aspirants For Benue South: One Ticket, Who Wins?

NewsImpact.com has delved into the heart of the highly contentious but interesting senatorial contest in the Benue South Senatorial District, looks into the profile of the aspirants under the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and examine their political journey for letting the public know how they currently stand. 

It has to be understood in the first place that Idoma and Igede form the major ethnic stocks in Benue South, known as Zone C, made up of the old Oju, old Otukpo and old Okpokwu blocs, basically for political convenience. Out of these three divisions, old Oju being the sole Igede ethnic nationality is the only bloc without a shot at the Senate seat.

For decades, nobody has won a senatorial election in Zone C without a victory from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas. But each time, Igede people showed interest for the seat, they are oppressed and pressed down, therefore, 2027 is seen as the only chance for the Igede people based on the promise the incumbent Senator Abba Moro made to handover the senatorial torch to an Igede man to handle.

However, the senator's recent body language has been seen as a tactical change of mind and the gesture seems to make the Igede people to vow that they would vote only for someone who keeps promise and fully store their interests in his mind. 

Investigation indicates that more than five aspirants are jostling for the sole ticket of the senatorial district on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the investigation most of those aspirants are known political figures who have contested before, one or two may probably be new entrants.

NewsImpact.com analyzes their chances under the APC. They include, Hon Joe Ojobo, Hon Chief Nelson Alapa (PhD), Hon Francis Ottah Agbo, Hon Daniel Onjeh, Dr Patrick Idoko Ojecheme, and of course, Dr David Olofu of ADC challenging incumbent Senator Abba Patrick Moro. We also look at how they will handle interest of the Igede people. This analysis is the product of thorough research through information obtained from people at the grassroots courtesy of interviews of the staunch political figures. 

We have done this without bias but with a view to giving voters the window to make their choices as it is best for them and for development of the Zone.

THE ASPIRANTS

- HON JOE OJOBO

Joe Ojobo is from Ogbadibo Local Government Area. He once served as Vice Chairman of the Local Government Council. Ojobo was also a two term member of the Benue State House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Hon Joe Ojobo is contesting today under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The aspirant has suspected of having frosty relationship with senator Abba Moro from his federal constituency, the development that may have informed his departure to APC. Ojobo is described by political analysts as one of the perennial contestants, but sadly, a serial loser! 

Aside electoral misfortunes, Ojobo is believably an humble individual with lots of youthful advantages on his political path. What however seems to be against his chances for victory from the contest is the fact that the current occupant of the senatorial seat hails from the same constituency, the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency. Victory for the aspirant could amount to perpetual domicile of the senate seat within the federal constituency from one person not the ideal in a democracy. Many say that Ojobo has good links with the Igede people but others criticize as not solid enough to strengthen his resolve for victory in the election! 

- DR DAVID OLOFU

David Olofu is a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the government of Samuel Ortom and served also as Senior Technical Adviser (Fiscal Policy) to the Nigeria Governor's Forum. 

Aside those political appointments Olofu as said, has not held elective political positions, though, he under the Ortom administration was notably a popular manager of finances for the government. He is contesting under ADC.

Analysis of Olofu's chances for victory in the election touches the edge of the state civil servants' complaints about their welfare when he supervised the finance ministry. According to the reports, the workers were not paid salaries for several months, the past shadow may follow the road the polling stations. 

Aside the seeming inability to influence the payment of salaries, many people from the senatorial district are said to have questioned why he found difficult to influence the administration to execute tangible capital project in the constituency?

- HON CHIEF NELSON ALAPA (Ph.D)

Hon Chief Nelson Alapa (PhD) was a Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, and by extension, leader of the opposition party at the highest level. Till date Alapa is believably one o the oldest APC members in Zone C remains a strong voice of APC especially when things were tough for the opposition in Benue State.

The former representative member under the opposition political party opened up his constituency to the outside world when he consciously partnered the then ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) in the State when Dr. Gabriel Suswam governed the state. 

Roads were constructed roads in the constituency in the same.manber he made people of the constituency felt no paucity of funds at the national assembly, though the other representatives were hiding.

Alapa is one of the standout contestants for the Benue South Senatorial District election on the APC ticket.

He is known for high level humility believed to have earned him wide grassroots appeal and support across the Zone C senatorial district. Additionally, the senatorial aspirant is said to be unifying figure between Igede people and the rest of Benue South. 

Opinions appear growing that for Rt. Hon Alapa should the APC offer him opportunity to contest the election on it platform. According to the opinions, since Alapa's maternal roots have been found in the Igede kingdom, issues of marginalization against the maternal relations might be a thing of the past if he wins the election. Hon Alapa is said also to enjoy good grassroots support across the senatorial district suitable for representation. The former Minority Leader from Otukpo axis of the district is said to be very strong politically and likely to win against the incumbent Senator Abba Moro.

- HON FRANCIS OTTAH AGBO

Francis Ottah Agbo is a seasoned media practitioner. He is also former member of House of Representatives for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the 9th National Assembly. 

Hon Ottah Agbo is reputed for his philanthropic works. He is contesting under the APC. 

He has been doing well. It has been said that his four years as House of Representatives member would be of great advantage for contest of the senatorial ticket for the zone C.

- MR DANIEL ONJEH

Hon Daniel Onjeh as former student union leader hails from Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state. Onjeh was born on 13th December, 1973, in Orokam. His notable political footprints as President, West African Students Union and National Association of Nigerian Students made Onjeh more a unionist than the partisan politician. 

Though, President Buhari appointed him as Board Chairman, Project Development Institute (PRODA) exposed him more to the public for recognition, Daniel Onjeh has once or twice contested for the Benue South Senatorial election and lost in all occasions. He is contesting under APC. 

Analysis of Onjeh's chances for victory tends to suggest that his disposition towards elders who appear feeling not properly respected may affect the chances. The Igede axis of the senatorial particularly seems to consider him unlikely for support.

DR PATRICK IDOKO OJECHEME

Dr Patrick Idoko Ojecheme is a renowned cardiologist working at the federal medical center Makurdi and Jos. Dr Idoko has dedicated his medical career to providing services to humanity. Dr Idoko is said to be a trust worthy medical practitioners and the development has made him the rallying point believably for professional colleagues .

Analysis of Idoko Ocheme's chances for success on his aspiration indicates that he is a good individual, easy going political representative if elected.

Opinion splits that his lack of partisan political experience may not favour him on the senatorial contest since he has not been tested politically. So far, he is not making strong enroute into the heart of Igede nation who are said to have been dissatisfied with the neglect by other part of Zone C. According to the analysis, the good man may not stand the force of the incumbent Senator Moro in the election for the sole ticket!