Professor Cephas Tushima has formally declared his intention to contest for the Benue North-East Senatorial District (Zone A) seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC), making a strong case for equity, justice, and fair representation for Kwande Local Government Area.
Tushima made the declaration on Monday, during a press briefing at the NUJ House in Makurdi, where he outlined his vision for inclusive leadership and sustainable development across the district.
Addressing journalists, the Mbachom-born academic from Yaav Council Ward in Kwande LGA described his life as one shaped by service, discipline, and a deep commitment to the common good. He said his ambition is driven not by personal gain but by a desire to deliver impactful leadership.
“I present myself as one prepared not just to occupy office, but to use it effectively,” he stated. “My background in advocacy, policy design, administration, and corporate governance has equipped me to meet the demands of national leadership and deliver meaningful results for our people.”
Highlighting his academic and professional journey, Tushima noted that his multidisciplinary training, spanning environmental sciences, geo-informatics engineering, humanities, and management sciences—positions him to tackle the complexities of governance. He added that his career cuts across academia, development practice, administration, and the property sector.
The senatorial hopeful expressed concern over what he described as longstanding political marginalization of Kwande LGA within Zone A. According to him, while other local government areas in the district have produced senators, some more than once and Kwande has remained consistently excluded.
“This is a matter of justice, fairness, and inclusion,” he said. “Kwande deserves a voice at the national level.”
Tushima further emphasized that his candidacy is rooted in a deep understanding of the challenges facing his people, including insecurity, poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education, and economic hardship. He pledged to champion policies that address these issues while promoting collective progress.
Speaking on his alignment with the current administration in the state, he reaffirmed his support for Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, noting that he was among the early supporters of the governor’s vision. He also disclosed his involvement in supporting the Governor’s Care Initiative for the elderly and vulnerable, particularly in facilitating enumeration and initial palliative distribution across Zone A.
He urged constituents to prioritize competence and integrity over political sentiment, cautioning against what he termed “cash-and-carry politics.”
“We must choose capacity over complacency, performance over mere presence, and courage over convenience,” he said. “Leadership is a sacred trust, not a personal investment.”
Tushima concluded by assuring the people of Zone A that his leadership would be anchored on accountability, inclusiveness, and measurable results, if given the mandate.
