Benue South 2027: ‘I didn’t sell my mandate to Onjeh’ — NDC Senatorial Candidate, Ogbole rejects alleged monetary deal

Pastor David Ogbole, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Benue South, has denied allegations that he relinquished his ticket to Comrade Daniel Onjeh in exchange for money.

Ogbole, in a statement issued amid growing controversy over the NDC senatorial ticket, said his mandate was not for sale and challenged Onjeh and anyone acting on his behalf to produce evidence that he received, demanded or agreed to receive money to step aside.

The controversy comes amid Onjeh’s recent move into the NDC after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Benue NDC chairman, Ohini Ojegbe, recently described Onjeh’s entry into the party as a “big catch” and pledged that the party would provide room for his political aspirations.

Ogbole said he first met Onjeh on July 11, 2026, at the instance of Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan (Rtd.), adding that the meeting came two days after the NDC consensus process for the Benue South senatorial ticket had been settled in his favour.

According to him, Onjeh requested that AVM Morgan persuade him to relinquish the ticket to enable him contest the 2027 election on the NDC platform.

Ogbole said another meeting was subsequently held on July 12 at Stratton Hotel, Area 11, Abuja, with several NDC stakeholders in attendance.

He listed the participants as AVM Morgan, Barrister Jacob Ajene, Professor Isaac Onyike, Chief Noah Mac-Dickson, Ojay Iyanya, Onjeh and himself.

Ogbole said Onjeh repeated his request at the meeting but that he declined to surrender the ticket.

“I had participated in the process. I had contested for the ticket. I had won the ticket. And I had made up my mind to run with the mandate I had legitimately earned,” he said.

He insisted that there was no financial negotiation at the meeting or elsewhere.

“At no point, in that meeting or anywhere else, was there any negotiation with me for a monetary settlement in exchange for my Senatorial ticket.

“No amount was offered to me.

“No amount was demanded by me.

“No monetary agreement was reached.

“No verbal settlement was entered into,” Ogbole stated.

The NDC candidate challenged Onjeh and those making the allegation to provide documentary, audio or other credible evidence to substantiate the claim that he was paid to relinquish his ticket.

“I did not sell my ticket. I did not trade my mandate. And I have not relinquished it,” he declared.

Ogbole also questioned the process through which Onjeh could have emerged as a replacement for a candidate produced through the NDC’s nomination process.

He said the party’s Expression of Interest window closed on May 24, while screening ended on May 26 and the primary/consensus processes were held in Makurdi on May 27 and 28.

He further claimed that the party subsequently communicated its candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through a letter dated July 14, which he said was received by the commission on July 21.

Ogbole therefore demanded an explanation over the authority and legal basis for any purported substitution.

He maintained that he remained committed to the NDC senatorial mandate for Benue South and would defend what he described as a legitimate mandate through lawful means.

“I will not be bullied into surrendering what I legitimately won.

“I will not be blackmailed into silence,” he said.

The development adds another layer to the political realignment in Benue South ahead of the 2027 elections, following Onjeh’s movement from the APC to the NDC.

Ogbole said his decision to speak out was aimed at clarifying the situation to the people of Benue South and rejecting what he described as attempts to rewrite the history of the nomination process.

“I HAVE NOT RELINQUISHED MY SENATORIAL TICKET.

“I HAVE NOT SOLD MY MANDATE.

“I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MONEY TO STEP ASIDE,” he declared.

He added that the Senate seat belonged to the people and should not be treated as a commodity to be bought, sold or transferred through a backroom arrangement.