Benue APC NASS Caucus endorse Tinubu for 2027 presidential race

The Benue State Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement, announced Wednesday during a press briefing at the National Assembly, marks the first formal declaration of support for Tinubu’s re-election by any legislative caucus in the 10th National Assembly. It comes amid growing political realignments and defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West) said the endorsement was a collective decision by the APC lawmakers from Benue in recognition of President Tinubu’s “transformative leadership” and “unprecedented development efforts” in the state.

“We, the undersigned Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly Caucus from Benue State — comprising two Senators out of three and ten out of the eleven House of Representatives Members — have convened this press conference to formally and unequivocally endorse His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a second term in office,” Zam stated.

He was joined by Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East) and the 10 APC House of Representatives Members from the state.

The caucus praised President Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development in Benue. They cited several major projects initiated under his administration, including the 465-kilometre Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway, the Makurdi-Aliade-Otukpo-Enugu Road project, and a flyover at the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi.

Other key infrastructure efforts include the construction of the 1.7-kilometre Buruku Bridge over the Katsina-Ala River, the dualisation of the 9th Mile-Otukpo-Makurdi Road, and the rehabilitation of the Oju–Cross River federal road—critical routes aimed at boosting connectivity and trade across regions.

In the education and healthcare sectors, the lawmakers applauded the revitalisation of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), and its Teaching Hospital, citing improved funding, infrastructure upgrades, and increased personnel. They also noted the approval of an Infectious Disease Control Centre in Vandeikya and the establishment of the Federal College of Agricultural Technology in Opialu Ojapo as proof of the administration’s commitment to sectoral development.

The caucus also highlighted achievements in housing and social welfare, including the construction of 250 affordable housing units under the Renewed Hope Housing Estates program and the approval of 1,000 more under the Pulaku initiative. Additionally, they commended the allocation of ₦44 billion to Benue State through various intervention funds, including ₦5 billion post-subsidy removal support, ₦9 billion for infrastructure, and ₦30 billion from the Subnational Intervention Fund.

Senator Zam emphasized that these fiscal reforms had contributed to a significant increase in government revenue, which surpassed ₦9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024.

On the issue of security, the Benue APC caucus urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to collaborate more closely with federal security agencies to combat persistent insecurity in the state. While acknowledging President Tinubu’s increased deployment of resources and personnel, they stressed that “the fight against insecurity cannot be left to the federal government alone.”

“We look forward to more proactive collaboration and genuine intelligence gathering from the state government as a critical step toward restoring peace and protecting our communities,” the caucus noted.

Reaffirming their commitment to Tinubu’s administration, the lawmakers pledged continued legislative support for federal interventions in the state, particularly those aimed at rebuilding affected communities and supporting displaced farmers.

“As representatives of the people, we remain fully committed to working with the president and national security agencies to restore peace, rebuild our communities, and support the resilient farmers who remain the backbone of Benue’s economy,” the statement concluded.