The Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, has criticized former Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, for opposing Moro's 2027 re-election bid. Abounu had described Moro's bid as "evil" and called for the strict enforcement of zoning in the contest for the Benue South senatorial seat.
Moro's media adviser, Emmanuel Eche'Ofun John, released a statement on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, describing Abounu's position as an attempt to portray "malice" as agitation for zoning. John argued that Moro's decision to seek another term was constitutional and that there was no constitutional limit on the number of terms a legislator could serve. He cited several serving senators who have spent several years in the National Assembly.
John referenced serving senators including Ahmed Lawan, Ali Ndume, Abdullahi Yahaya, Makardawa Wammako, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Jibrin Barau, and Mohammed Aliero as lawmakers who had spent several years in the National Assembly. He also mentioned former Senate President David Mark, who spent 20 years in the Senate before voluntarily retiring in 2019.
The adviser challenged Abounu to provide evidence of any collective agreement by the people of Benue South adopting a binding zoning arrangement for the senatorial seat. John alleged that Abounu had opposed Moro politically since 2018, claiming that the former deputy governor worked against Moro's senatorial ambition during the 2018 election cycle.
According to John, Abounu, who was then a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue South, opposed the "Right of First Refusal" arrangement reportedly advanced in favour of Moro ahead of the 2023 senatorial primary. Moro eventually won the primary and the subsequent general election despite the opposition.
On the issue of zoning, John said Moro had gone beyond making verbal commitments by sponsoring a bill seeking to establish a legal and constitutional framework for zoning. The bill was currently before the National Assembly's Constitution Review process. John maintained that Moro was seeking re-election not to remain in the Senate indefinitely but to consolidate on his achievements.
John urged Abounu and other stakeholders in Benue South to support Moro's return to the Senate, arguing that the interests of the senatorial district should supersede personal interests and political differences. The statement was signed by Emmanuel Eche'Ofun John, Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader, and dated October 7, 2026.
Key points
- Abba Moro's media adviser faults Benson Abounu for opposing Moro's 2027 re-election bid
- Moro's adviser argues that his boss's decision to seek re-election is constitutional
- Abounu challenged to provide evidence of collective agreement on zoning arrangement
