EXCLUSIVE: Why APC leaders settled for Ottah Agbo over Onjeh, Ojobo in Benue South Senatorial race

Fresh details have emerged on why key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly settled for former lawmaker, Francis Ottah Agbo, as the preferred senatorial candiate of the party for Benue South ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC is expected to elect its senatorial flag bearer across the three senatorial districts in Benue State today, and barring any last-minute changes, party insiders have said Ottah Agbo is strongly positioned to emerge victorious in Benue South today.

The contest in the zone has remained highly competitive, with about six aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket.

Among the leading contenders are former House of Representatives member, Francis Ottah Agbo; former APC senatorial candidate, Daniel Onjeh; businessman Joe Ojobo; Nelson Alapa; oil magnate Patrick Ojechema Idoko; and young politician Oloche Agidani.

However, reliable sources within the party told IDOMA VOICE that although Onjeh was initially considered the preferred candidate by some influential figures within the APC, the situation changed at the last minute after several stakeholders reportedly shifted their support to Ottah Agbo.

According to sources familiar with the development, party leaders settled for Ottah based on what they described as his broad acceptability across the nine local government areas in Benue South, his popularity among grassroots supporters and his legislative experience.

A party source explained that many stakeholders believed it was time to support a different candidate after Onjeh had received the party’s backing on multiple occasions without success at the polls.

The source further stated that Ottah’s experience in the National Assembly also worked in his favour.

Ottah Agbo represented Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023, where he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs.

The development, however, reportedly divided members of the party, with some stakeholders opposing the move.

While a section of the party reportedly backed Joe Ojobo, others were said to favour Nelson Alapa as a consensus option.

The internal disagreement reportedly angered Daniel Onjeh, who was said to have stormed the residence of Governor Hyacinth Alia to question why outsiders were allegedly being allowed to influence the choice of the APC candidate for Benue South.

Sources said the disagreement led to a heated argument during a stakeholders’ meeting, forcing Onjeh to walk out angrily.

Onjeh later disclosed publicly that he met with the governor over the matter.

In a statement shared afterwards, he wrote: “Relax, Benue South. I just left the Governor, and he vowed on his integrity that he never sent Moses Ternenge to endorse any candidate.”

Meanwhile, another twist reportedly emerged late Saturday night after one of the aspirants allegedly agreed to step down on the condition that he would be appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

However, party stakeholders reportedly dismissed the request as unrealistic, describing it as “a very tall dream.”