The people of Benue State look forward to the battles to end all political wars as the state's gubernatorial elections, scheduled for February 2027 draw nearer. They must however first go through three titanic battles which pitch political giants from across the parties against one another in the state as INEC's release of the final list of candidates for the presidential and national assembly elections scheduled for January next year has thrown up the various gladiators from different political parties. In the Zone A Senatorial race, incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende (APC), believed to enjoy the support of the George Akume (SGF) faction of the Benue APC who successfully warded off the Governor Hycinth Alia-backed threat from Gabriel Suswam, looks good to survive a challenge from Hon. Robert Tyough (ADC ), former HOR member. In Zone B, another incumbent Titus Tartenger Zam (APC), also reportedly enjoying the SGF's backing, again looks good to ward off challenges from Mrs. Eunice Ortom (Guma, PDP) and Rt. Hon. Terngu Tsegba (ADC), former Speaker pro-tempore from Gboko local government. The hottest battle ground in the State's Senate war looms in Zone C (Idoma land) where two spunky youngsters Daniel Onjeh (NDC) and former Reps member Hon. Francis Ottah-Agbo (APC) seek to upset old war horse and incumbent Senator Abba Moro of the PDP. The race would have presents a testing ground for the 'strategic partnership' initiative proposed by His Excellency former Governor of the State Samuel Ortom which lately attempted to rally PDP and APC loyalists in the Zone for the incumbent. The move was however was publicly disowned by the Zone C APC which roundly denied having anything to do with the PDP and its candidate Moro. The interesting contest will answer whether any of the two youngsters, each a great crowd puller and grassroots mobilizer in his own right, can upstage Moro, also a known grassroots veteran. Various battles for the House of Reps similarly rage across the entire state. Few upsets are however expected. In Gboko/Tarka Constituency, Hon. Regina Akume (APC), wife of the SGF is expected to pick an easy win over Nathaniel Ikyur of the PDP. In the battle for Buruku Constituency, incumbent Hon. Sekav Dzua Iortyom (APC) is expected to get an easy victory over all other contenders with possibly the greatest resistance from Hon. Kpam Jimin Sokpo (NDC), a former member of the Benue State House of Assembly.

Posted: 1month ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026