Benue North-East Senatorial District: A New Challenger Steps Forward

Dave Awuna Padopas, popularly known as “Shimataver I Tyoshin” (Persevering Heart of the Tyoshin People), has formally declared his intention to contest the Benue North-East senatorial seat in the 2027 general election. His declaration came during a grand reception hosted by the Tyoshin community last week, where traditional rulers and local stakeholders openly endorsed him as their preferred successor to the incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende Memsa (APC).

Awuna, who rose through the ranks of the Boys Scouts to become the National Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of Nigeria, traced his political journey back to the Benue Proactive Coalition of 1999, which played a key role in former Governor Gabriel Suswam’s emergence. Addressing the gathering, he stated: “The local government currently occupying the position is mine, and the stakeholders, traditional rulers have all endorsed me as a replacement for Senator Zam,” referring to the current senator from the neighbouring Benue South district.

The endorsement is significant in a district comprising seven LGAs — Katsina-Ala, Logo, Ukum, Konshisha, Vandeikya, Kwande and Ushongo — an area traditionally dominated by the APC, which retained the seat in the 2023 polls. Analysts observe that Awuna’s strong grassroots network and his recently conferred traditional title could alter the political dynamics, especially with Tyoshin political structures pledging support for Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration while vowing to “evict” the serving senator in 2027.

Awuna’s emergence has unsettled other prospective contenders. Several figures who featured prominently in the 2023 senatorial race — including former PDP candidate Gabriel Suswam and various APC aspirants — are reportedly reassessing their strategies in response to his growing momentum. A senior party official, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that the party is revisiting its plans to retain the seat, stressing the importance of “broad-based consultation with traditional leaders and youth groups.”

His campaign is expected to emphasise youth empowerment, reflecting his background in scouting, and to leverage his traditional title as a tool for mobilising the Tyoshin electorate. Awuna also suggested a wider alliance with Governor Alia, whose administration has been engaging northern zones in a bid to strengthen the APC’s position in the state.

As the 2027 election season gathers pace, the Benue North-East senatorial contest is increasingly shaping up to be one of the state’s most closely watched races. Its outcome may ultimately hinge on the interplay between traditional influence, youth mobilisation, and party structures. The coming months will determine whether Awuna’s “Shimataver” identity can convert the enthusiastic endorsements into a formal party ticket and, ultimately, a seat in the Senate.

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