Who Gets the APC ticket? Heavyweights jostle for Benue South Senate slot

With 2027 still some distance away, the contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate ticket in Benue South Senatorial District has already taken on the intensity of a full-blown campaign, IDOMA VOICE reports.

Consultations are deepening, camps are crystallising, and political calculations are being quietly recalibrated across Zone C.

While public declarations remain cautious, behind-the-scenes manoeuvrings suggest that the party is keen on presenting a candidate capable of breaking the Peoples Democratic Party’s long-standing grip on the district.

The stakes are particularly high for the APC, as whoever emerges will almost certainly square off against Senator Abba Moro, the incumbent PDP lawmaker seeking a third term and widely expected to fly his party’s flag unopposed.

Moro’s entrenched grassroots network, incumbency advantage, and historical dominance of the PDP in the district mean the APC cannot afford internal fractures or a weak candidate.

Against this backdrop, several aspirants have stepped forward, each bringing different strengths, structures, and vulnerabilities, while party leaders weigh electability above all else.

Francis Ottah Agbo

Francis Ottah Agbo comes into the race with the advantage of experience and visibility. A former member of the House of Representatives, Agbo is well known within political and professional circles and his legislative background positions him as a candidate with a firm grasp of governance and national issues.
His strength lies in intellect, exposure and appeal among party elders and middle-class voters.

However, questions persist around the depth of his grassroots machinery across the nine local government areas of Benue South.

For Agbo, securing the ticket will depend on how convincingly he can assure the party of his ability to mobilise voters beyond elite support.

Ojechema Idoko

Ojechema Idoko, a technocract, is often described by party insiders as a bridge-builder. He maintains cordial relationships across factions and is believed to be engaging quietly with critical stakeholders within the APC.

His humility and low-profile style have earned him respect in certain quarters, especially among party loyalists who value stability over noise.

Nonetheless, his challenge remains visibility and momentum. In a contest that may reward strong narratives and broad name recognition, Idoko will need to step out more boldly if he hopes to convert internal goodwill into a winning coalition.

Oloche Agidani 

Engr. Oloche Gabriel Agidani, son of former lawmaker Solomon Umoru Agidani, enters the Benue South Senate race with one of the strongest technocratic profiles among the aspirants.

His major strength lies in his rare blend of technical expertise, international exposure and development-sector experience, having spent over 15 years working across Nigeria’s power and infrastructure space.

His background with institutions such as the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the MDGs Office and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) positions him as a policy-driven candidate who understands how to translate government plans into practical projects, especially in critical areas like electricity, infrastructure development, and sustainable energy solutions.

His academic training in the UK and executive exposure at MIT further reinforce his credibility among professionals, technocrats, and development-oriented voters, while his current role as Managing Director of Agonye Nigeria Limited strengthens his image as a job-creator and private-sector leader.

Agidani’s appeal is particularly growing among youths, professionals and party members seeking a departure from traditional politics, and his calm, people-centred leadership style is viewed as an asset in a tense political environment.

Beyond his professional credentials, Agidani is also benefiting from the political legacy and goodwill associated with his father, Solomon Umoru Agidani, who represented Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2011. Party insiders say that the elder Agidani’s years of service have helped pave the way for his son, particularly in Agatu and neighbouring areas where his name still commands respect and loyalty.

However, his main weakness remains political structure. Unlike more established politicians, his grassroots machinery across Zone C is still developing.
While his competence and profile give him strong credibility, his chances will depend largely on how quickly he can convert technical reputation into widespread political support, alliances and ward-level mobilisation ahead of the primaries.

Nelson Alapa
A former Minority Leader in the lower chamber of the national assembly, Nelson Alapa’s strength is rooted in grassroots politics. He is familiar with ward-level dynamics and enjoys loyalty among long-time APC supporters in parts of the district.

Alapa is viewed as consistent and dependable, qualities that appeal to party faithful. However, concerns about his reach beyond core supporters and his capacity to mount a district-wide campaign remain significant hurdles.
His chances improve if the party prioritises loyalty and grassroots penetration over high-profile endorsements.

Joe Ojobo
Joe Ojobo is regarded as a calm and consensus-driven aspirant. With administrative experience and a reputation for moderation, he is seen by some party leaders as a potential unifying figure. Ojobo’s major strength is acceptability across divides, but this is also where his challenge lies, his campaign lacks the aggressiveness and visibility that often define winning primary battles.
Without a more pronounced structure or narrative, his chances may depend heavily on last-minute alignments and internal party negotiations.

Dan Onjeh
Dan Onjeh stands out as one of the most recognisable figures in the race. A former Senate candidate, he enjoys strong name recognition and a visible following among youths across Benue South.

Described by supporters as humble and accessible, Onjeh’s consistent engagement with young people and party grassroots has strengthened his appeal. While his outspoken style may unsettle some party elders, his popularity, energy and perceived executive support position him as a serious contender whose chances cannot be dismissed.

Samuel Odoh Onuh

Former Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Samuel Odoh Onuh enters the APC Benue South Senate race with strong grassroots credentials and administrative experience. His tenure as council chairman earned him visibility at the local government level, where he is regarded as accessible and familiar with community needs. Onuh’s strength lies in his firm hold on Ogbadibo politics and his appeal among party members who favour tested grassroots leadership over elite politics. However, his major challenge is expanding his influence beyond his immediate base to gain district-wide acceptance. With comparatively limited name recognition across Zone C, his chances will depend on his ability to build alliances across local governments and convince party leaders that his grassroots strength can translate into a competitive challenge against the PDP incumbent.

As the APC weighs its options, the central question remains electability.

With Senator Abba Moro poised to defend his seat under the PDP banner, the party must decide whether to bank on experience, grassroots loyalty, youth-driven momentum, or quiet institutional backing.

As alliances shift and silent endorsements become clearer, the choice of candidate will shape not just the APC’s fortunes in 2027, but the political future of Benue South itself.