2027: Traditional Rulers, Key Stakeholders Intensify Support for Olofu’s Senatorial Bid

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The senatorial aspiration of former Benue State Commissioner of Finance, Dr. David Olofu, has continued to gain momentum as more traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders endorsed his ambition during his consultation tour across the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo is the federal constituency of the current Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro.

During his visit to Okpokwu Local Government Area, the traditional council, led by former Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Chief James Okefe, declared full support for the push to shift the senatorial seat to the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the interest of equity, fairness, and justice.

Okefe, who also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for the care given to traditional rulers, assured that the people of Okpokwu would collectively support Dr. Olofu’s aspiration.

“What is good for the geese is also good for the gander. If cow eat, goat should also be allowed to eat. We, the Enone, have dominated the senatorial seat of Benue South for too long. We should allow it to go to other places, especially Apa/Agatu, which has never produced a Senator. They are not our slaves.

“This is the first time in recent years that we are going to have a Senator. This council does not even know if we currently have one. My son, Dr. Olofu, when you get there, don’t forget two things I want to tell you.

“Don’t forget to continue the good things you have been doing for people. As Commissioner, you helped both individuals and the collective interests of the Idoma people. Don’t forget your Idoma people, and don’t forget the traditional rulers.”

Beyond Okpokwu, Dr. Olofu also received royal blessings from the traditional councils of Ado and Ogbadibo, who prayed for a smooth and obstacle-free journey toward securing the Senatorial seat.

Earlier, influential figures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Igumale, Okpoga, and Otukpa also pledged support for Dr. Olofu’s senatorial ambition.

At Otukpa, the party leader in the local government, Chris Abah, popularly called “Mad Lion,” urged the people to back Dr. Olofu, stressing that the Senate seat should no longer be treated as the exclusive preserve of the Enone people.

“Our people have held the seat for too long. In the spirit of fairness, it should be ceded to another part of the district. To the glory of God, we have our own, Dr. David Olofu. Let us all go home and work for his victory,” he declared as supporters applauded loudly.

In Igumale, former council chairman Agbese stated that the people of Ado Local Government were ready to back Dr. Olofu, insisting that the prolonged retention of the Senate seat within the Enone axis no longer serves the collective interest of Benue South.

“We have been fooled for too long, and we must refuse to be continually fooled. We will ensure that the Senate seat moves to Apa/Agatu in the spirit of oneness. To the glory of God, we have Dr. David Olofu to lead the charge,” Agbese affirmed.

At Okpoga, former Benue State Commissioner, Barr. Jacob Ogwuche, also expressed strong support, noting that the people of Okpokwu were solidly behind Dr. Olofu, whom he described as a capable leader with all it takes to represent Benue South effectively in the National Assembly.

Ogwuche, who also served multiple times as Okpokwu council chairman, praised Dr. Olofu’s leadership qualities, describing him as a man of peace and a true man of the people.

Speaking at the various locations, Dr. Olofu thanked the traditional rulers and stakeholders for their overwhelming reception. He said he joined the senatorial race to work diligently toward liberating the district from poverty and underdevelopment.

He assured that if elected, he would transform Benue South into “the Eldorado of Nigeria,” driving meaningful infrastructure and development that would elevate the district to unprecedented heights.

Dr. Olofu noted that he possesses the intellectual capacity, experience, and network needed to advance development across the district and urged the people to support him in ending the “bewilderment and lamentation” currently faced by the senatorial zone.

“I am not a man of lamentation. I don’t want us to continue lamenting. Let us change the narrative by taking our destinies into our own hands. When we succeed in this aspiration, we will all be happy.

“I will institutionalize the Benue South People’s Assembly and the Benue South Senatorial Council so development decisions will come from you. You will tell us what you want. The work will be done by all of us—not me and my wife sitting in my room deciding what to do,” he assured.

It will be recalled that only a few days ago, critical stakeholders of the ADC from the Igede axis of Benue South also ceded the senatorial seat to the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, unanimously agreeing to pursue their interests in other positions.