By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka
Aggrieved members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue South Senatorial District, under the aegis of NDC Integrity Group, have dumped their party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and their senatorial candidate, Daniel Onje, for Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The group, led by its Zonal Coordinator, Hon. Yakubu Audu, made the declaration during a courtesy visit to the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, in Otukpo.
Audu said the decision was based on the need to retain a strong voice for Benue South in the Senate, adding that Moro’s performance since 2019 made him the preferred choice ahead of the January 16, 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“The voice you have been giving Benue South Senatorial District in the Senate as Minority Leader needs to be sustained in the 11th National Assembly. We cannot bring any new person into the Senate for Benue South now, without the needed voice,” he said.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Orih, said their move was in line with the Benue State Strategic Alliance being led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“For the 2027 general election and particularly for Benue South, our concept is electoral coalition which is making us to prefer Distinguished Senator Abba Moro as candidate of PDP and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC as preferred candidate for the presidency,” Orih said.
Responding, Senator Moro thanked the group for placing the interest of Benue South above partisanship, saying their action aligns with the strategic alliance led by Senator Akume.
He said Benue people should vote based on realities and not promises, citing the construction of the Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi Road and the ongoing work on the Otukpo-Enugu Highway by the Tinubu administration.
On the governorship, Moro said Benue South should assess candidates based on projects and inclusiveness, adding that he was not against Governor Hyacinth Alia as a person but against his style of governance.
