Benue North-West: I Will Replace Senator Zam in 2027 – Dr. Hwande Vows

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Dr. Stephen Hwande, has declared his intention to unseat the current Senator representing Benue North-West (Zone B), Senator Titus Zam, in the 2027 general elections, accusing him of poor representation.

Speaking to journalists at the hospital in Makurdi, Dr. Hwande criticized Senator Zam’s performance at the National Assembly, describing his removal from office as a “small matter.”

According to Hwande, “There has been a failure of representation at the National Assembly. Zone B has nothing to show for having a senator. So I say that Zam is a small matter.”

He compared Benue’s development trajectory with that of other states, particularly Ogun State, which will also clock 50 years in 2026. He argued that Benue lags behind due to poor leadership recruitment.

“Compare Benue with Ogun. Ogun too will be 50 years. If you rate Benue among the 36 states, which South-East, South-South or South-West state is Benue ahead of? Those alone are 17. In the Middle Belt, is Benue ahead of Plateau, Kwara, or Nasarawa? In the North, are we ahead of Kaduna or Kano? Benue will be ranked around 27 or 28. Why? Leadership structure and recruitment.”

He accused members of the National Assembly from the state of misunderstanding their roles, saying they have failed to prioritize the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other constituents.

“When people fail exams, they leave the system. So they will leave, and we will replace them. Have I failed at the Teaching Hospital? When you do more work, more work is given to you. When you fail, you stay at home. But the people of Benue will decide,” Hwande said.

On his political platform, Hwande affirmed his loyalty to Governor Hyacinth Alia, under whose administration he was appointed CMD.

“I’m an appointee of the Governor. I’m working with him. Anywhere you see Governor Alia, Hwande is there. If I convince him to give me the ticket and he gives me the ticket, the election – compared to the performance of those people – I tell you, it’s a walkover.”

Dr. Hwande also took a swipe at Senator Zam’s alleged lack of tangible contributions to the state, contrasting it with his own work in the medical field.

“Zam has no investment anywhere. I brought IVF to Benue State. I should have been in Abuja, but I brought the same IVF to Teaching Hospital. It’s about productivity.”

Responding to concerns about how he would balance his current role with a senatorial campaign, Hwande assured he would complete his tasks at BSUTH.

“I will finish the work. When you keep your very best at home and send jokers out there, what do you expect? People are sending their best; you are sending jokers. That’s why IDPs protest—they don’t have food or healthcare.”

He concluded by reiterating that effective representation in the National Assembly could attract critical support such as food and medicine to the state.

“They sent you to Abuja to bring resources and support the Governor, but instead, you turn into his enemy. You’ve failed in your constitutional duty, and the Benue people will take their time and make their decision,” Hwande said.