Benue South Senate 2027: Joe Ojobo’s entrance unsettles opponents

As preparations gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, political activities within the Benue South Senatorial District are beginning to expose deepening anxieties among aspirants jostling for the coveted Senate seat.

By 2027, voters across Benue South will return to the polls to elect a new representative, or retain the current one, at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, IDOMA VOICE reports.

The seat is presently occupied by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Patrick Moro, who assumed office in 2019 after succeeding former Senate President, David Mark, who held sway for two decades. Moro was re-elected in 2023 for a second term.

Although Senator Moro has yet to officially declare his intention to seek a third term, political observers have noted that his growing online presence, marked by posters and banners circulating on social media, suggests he may be warming up for another contest.

No fewer than ten aspirants are already believed to be eyeing the seat across party lines. Among them are David Olofu (ADC), Nelson Alapa, Bright Igodo, Ojechema Idoko, Prince Onuh, Dan Onjeh, Francis Ottah, Oloche Agidani, and others on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the recent entrance of Joe Ojobo into the race appears to have altered the political equation.

Political watchers have said Ojobo’s declaration has unsettled several aspirants, particularly within the APC, where the battle for the party’s ticket is expected to be fierce. 

Fondly called “Gentle Joe”, Ojobo is not new to Benue South politics.

He previously served as Vice Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area and has remained a visible figure in the district’s political space for over a decade.

In 2018, he narrowly missed clinching the PDP senatorial ticket, losing the party’s primary election to Senator Abba Moro in Makurdi.

Again, in 2023, Ojobo challenged for the Senate seat, this time under the Labour Party, where he tested his grassroots strength in the general election.

Though he finished third behind Dan Onjeh and Abba Moro, he polled a significant 40,194 votes, winning in Ogbadibo and Ado Local Government Areas, a feat that strengthened his political profile.

Following the election, Ojobo pitched his tent with the APC, where sources said he has since “firmly planted his feet.”

One attribute even political rivals concede Ojobo possesses is his humility and broad appeal, particularly among youths across party lines. This has earned him a loyal following and positioned him as a unifying figure in a district often fractured by intense political rivalry.

With his formal entry into the 2027 race, Ojobo is expected to contend for the APC ticket against notable aspirants including Ottah Agbo, Dan Onjeh, Nelson Alapa, Ojechema Idoko, Bright Igodo, and others.

Multiple sources within the APC told IDOMA VOICE that Governor Hyacinth Alia and Benue South political leaders might be comfortable with Ojoboo’s candidature in 2027 due to his humility and unifying posture.

According to insiders, the governor’s alleged preference is rooted in Ojobo’s grassroots acceptance, non-confrontational style and perceived loyalty to the party’s broader reform agenda.

“The governor wants a candidate who can genuinely unite Benue South and win at the general election, not just at the primaries. Joe Ojobo has grassroots acceptance, youth support, and does not come with baggage or internal hostility. That’s why many of us believe he fits into the governor’s long-term political calculations,” a senior APC source told IDOMA VOICE.

This perceived alignment has reportedly unsettled other APC aspirants, many of whom now fear that the contest may not be as open as initially assumed.

A native of Ogwurute, Itabono Owukpa, Joe Ojobo is a businessman with interests spanning hospitality, real estate and automobile ventures.

Beyond politics, associates describe him as accessible and deeply connected to community structures across Benue South.

As the 2027 contest approaches, analysts say Ojobo’s entry has added a new layer of unpredictability to the race, one that could significantly reshape alliances and strategies in the months ahead.

Whether he ultimately secures the ticket or not, one thing appears certain: Joe Ojobo is no longer a peripheral actor in Benue South politics and his presence is already shaking the field.