By Awo Whiskeys
It is imperative to delve into the heart of a highly contentious yet interesting senatorial zone in Benue State, particularly the Benue South Senatorial District, and examine the profiles of all the aspirants under different political platforms vying for the Senate seat, their political journeys, and their current standings.
First, let it be understood that Idoma and Igede form the major ethnic blocs in Benue South, with the Zone further divided into Old Oju, Old Otukpo, and Old Okpokwu, largely for political convenience. Out of these three divisions, Old Oju, which comprises the 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. However, each time Igede people show interest in the seat, they are oppressed and pressed down.
2027 is therefore seen as the only chance for Igede people, based on the promise made by the incumbent, Senator Abba Moro, to hand over to an Igede man. However, his recent body language has been perceived as a tactical change of mind. For this reason, Igede people have vowed, according to reports, that they would vote only for someone with their full interests at heart.
According to findings, more than five aspirants are jostling for the ticket of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). Most of these aspirants are known political figures, some of whom have contested before, while one or two are new entrants. This analysis examines the chances of the aspirants under the platform of the APC: Hon Joe Ojobo, Hon Chief Nelson Alapa (PhD), Hon Francis Ottah Agbo, Mr Daniel Onjeh, Dr Patrick Idoko Ojecheme, and Dr David Olofu of ADC. It also considers how they will handle the interests of Igede people.
This is a product of thorough research, featuring information from grassroots people and interviews with staunch political figures, conducted without bias, with the aim of giving voters the insight needed to make informed choices that are best for them and their Zone.
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). Today, Hon Joe Ojobo has jumped ship to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and is contesting under the party’s platform. It was alleged that his frosty relationship with Senator Abba Moro from his federal constituency informed his departure to APC.
Ojobo is described by one political analyst as one of the perennial contestants, but a serial loser. Joe Ojobo is a humble individual with a youthful advantage. Unfortunately, the current occupant of Zone C Senatorial seat is from his federal constituency of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo. Transitioning the Senate seat within a federal constituency from one person to another is not the ideal way. Ojobo has connections to Igede people, but that connection is considered not solid enough to strengthen his victory.
Dr David Olofu
David Olofu is a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning from 2015-2023 under the government of Samuel Ortom. He also served as Senior Technical Adviser (Fiscal Policy) to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Apart from that, he is not known to have held any political office through election. However, under the government of the former governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, he was a notable figure, managing the financial politics of the governor. He is contesting under ADC.
David Olofu’s role in the financial dealings in Benue State, when workers or civil servants were not paid several months’ salary, is a serious minus. Under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom, billions of naira were taken in loans, all supervised by David Olofu, yet there appears to be no tangible capital project in his constituency. He could not influence the governor to undertake a single project in his area. His performance was allegedly so abysmal that there is doubt whether the people of Zone C will ever entrust him with a position as important as the Senate.-
Hon. Chief Nelson Alapa (Phd)
Hon Chief Nelson Alapa (PhD) was a Minority Leader at the House of Representatives, and by extension, the leader of the opposition party at the highest level. To date, Nelson Alapa is the oldest APC member in Zone C. He remains a strong member of APC and was there when things were tough for the opposition in Benue State. As a House of Representatives member under the opposition political party then, he opened up his constituency to the outside world. He consciously partnered with the then ruling party in the state, led by Dr Gabriel Suswam, to construct roads in his constituency. He virtually let the people know that there is money at the National Assembly at a time when their representatives were hiding.
Hon Chief Nelson Alapa is known for his high level of humility, which has earned him wide grassroots support across Zone C. In addition, Alapa is considered a unifying figure between Igede people and the rest of Benue South. If APC will ever win the election, the right person to do that for them is Dr Nelson Alapa. With the cry of marginalization from the Igede axis, Alapa, whose mother is from Igede, seems to appeal to the people better. His connection with the grassroots, right from the time he was a Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, is said to be very strong. As an Otukpo-born man whose mother is from Igede nation, he can exploit this sentiment to his advantage. Alapa is said to have been feared by the camp of Abba Moro. A source within Abba Moro’s camp revealed that Alapa is the only one standing between him and the National Assembly. APC is projected to win the election if Alapa is picked as the party’s flag bearer.
Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo
Francis Ottah Agbo is a seasoned journalist and media practitioner. He is also a former member of the House of Representatives, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the 9th National Assembly. Francis Ottah Agbo is considered a philanthropist, though most of his contributions were not widely known. He is contesting under APC. He has been doing well and has done some fine work as a House of Representatives member for four years, but if Zone C Senatorial District wants to move forward, he is not the right man for the job.
Mr Daniel Onjeh
Daniel Onjeh is a former student union leader. He hails from Ogbadibo Local Government Area. He was born on 13th December, 1973, in Orokam. His notable political engagements were President, West African Students Union and the National Association of Nigerian Students.
Onjeh is more or less a unionist rather than a politician. Though President Buhari appointed him as Board Chairman, Project Development Institute (PRODA), where he made his money and established some connections. Unfortunately, he used the office to fight national assembly members, including the then Speaker, Femi Gbajamiola. He therefore left the office in an acrimonious way. Daniel Onjeh has contested for Benue South Senatorial election once or twice and lost on all occasions. He is contesting under APC.
Onjeh’s seemingly stubborn disposition towards elders and everyone is likely going to affect his chances. This led to his departure from the post unceremoniously. Many people from the Igede axis consider him arrogant and proud, which is why he lost elections twice. Unless he learns to humble himself and respect older political figures, his chances are very slim.
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 career to providing medical services to humanity. In Benue’s medical field, Dr Idoko is a trusted person by medical practitioners who believe in his professional knowledge. Dr Idoko Ojecheme is considered a very good individual, who is easy-going and good in his area of profession. However, he is not politically tested.
So far, he is not making a strong connection with the Igede nation, who are said to have been dissatisfied with neglect by other parts of Zone C. Though he’s a good man, he’s unlikely to receive enough support to win the ticket. Again, he’s not seen as someone with the political muscle to defeat Abba Moro in the general election.
Awo, a public affairs commentator writes from Makurdi, Benue State.
