Benue South senate race 2027: Gov Alia wants stooges who won’t question him – Abba Moro

Senate minority leader, Abba Moro, has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State of allegedly attempting to impose political loyalists who would remain silent and refuse to question his administration ahead of the 2027 elections in Benue State.

Moro made the claim on Wednesday during his acceptance speech after emerging as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District at the party’s primary held at Leach Hotel in Otukpo.

The senator, who was returned unopposed as the PDP flag bearer, said the task ahead of the party would be difficult but insisted that the PDP would overcome its internal challenges and reclaim political strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He accused Governor Alia of trying to suppress opposition voices in Benue South and promoting candidates who would not challenge the government, even in the face of what he described as the marginalisation of Zone C.

“The Benue State governor is bent on stopping some of us so he can impose his stooges who won’t speak out against him if he wins his re-election bid, even in the face of the deliberate policy of his government to emasculate Benue South,” Moro declared.

“But the Benue South people and indeed the entire Benue people will resist him.”

The senator further vowed not to remain silent over what he termed the “criminal neglect” of Benue South and alleged maladministration under the current government.

“We will not stop speaking against the criminal neglect of Zone C and the maladministration of Governor Alia in the state,” he said.

“We are all equal stakeholders in the Benue project and will never succumb to threat, intimidation and financial inducement that have become the order of the day in the state.”

Moro’s remarks come amid rising political tension in Benue South following the emergence of former House of Representatives member, Francis Ottah Agbo, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the senatorial district.

The development has set the stage for what many observers believe could become one of the fiercest political battles in Benue State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Despite the growing contest, Moro expressed confidence in his chances, citing his legislative record and constituency projects across Benue South as evidence of his performance in office.

The senator highlighted several bills he sponsored, including the establishment bills for the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, the Federal College of Agricultural Technology, Ojapo-Opialu, and the North Central Development Commission, all of which received presidential assent.

He also listed numerous constituency projects facilitated across the nine local government areas of Benue South, including road rehabilitation, rural electrification, water projects, healthcare centres, youth and women empowerment schemes, classroom construction, and ICT training programmes.

Moro pledged to continue strengthening the PDP structure in Benue South and mobilising support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I have been effectively utilising the mandate given to me, and I promise to continue living up to your expectations,” he told supporters.

“With my experience and connections, my re-election will mean so much for you. It will afford me the opportunity to consolidate on the gains of our achievements so far and explore bigger opportunities for our collective good.”

The senator also commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing federal road projects in the region, particularly the Lafia-Makurdi-Otukpo and Otukpo-Enugu roads, while blaming the Benue State Government for delays affecting parts of the road construction projects.