Six opposition political parties in Benue South Senatorial District have thrown their weight behind Senator Abba Moro's re-election bid in 2027. The parties, which include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Labour Party (LP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Action Peoples Party (APP), plan to withdraw their candidates from the race and formally endorse the incumbent. This decision was made during a stakeholders' meeting in the zone.
The meeting, which was attended by party chairmen, women, and youth leaders, aimed to deliberate on the senatorial contest and agree on a course of action. Representatives of the Legacy faction of the ADC, the Abure faction of the Labour Party, and the ZLP publicly declared their support for Moro at the meeting. Factional chairman of the ADC in Benue, Elias Adikwu, stated that stakeholders in his structure had collectively resolved to support Moro.
Adikwu clarified that his group, the Legacy ADC, is involved in an ongoing legal dispute over the party's leadership and candidate. The faction is awaiting a court decision after raising concerns that the name of its preferred candidate had not been uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Meanwhile, Benue State leader of the Labour Party's Abure faction, Ibrahim Idoko, revealed that he consulted with leaders in his constituency before deciding to support Moro.
Idoko emphasized that the re-election of Senator Abba Moro is crucial, and his party will continue to mobilize support for him. ZLP chairman, Simon Ogbe, who spoke on behalf of the other parties, stated that the stakeholders arrived at their decision after assessing the candidates in the race. According to Ogbe, the coalition will take the decision to the grassroots and seek to bring more political parties into the alliance ahead of the election.
Ogbe disclosed that the parties are looking beyond zoning in considering the senatorial contest, focusing on competency, track record, and integrity. He stated that Senator Abba Moro is the preferred candidate based on these criteria. The parties are expected to hold a larger formal endorsement event in the coming days, where the senatorial candidates of the participating parties will withdraw from the contest and endorse Moro.
ADC woman leader, Ochanya Attah, stated that women leaders of the participating parties have resolved to work together to mobilize support for Moro across their constituencies. The stakeholders view the meeting as preparatory to the formal endorsement, with plans to expand the coalition and intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
The six opposition parties' decision to back Senator Abba Moro's re-election bid marks a significant development in the Benue South Senatorial District's political landscape. The move is expected to have implications for the 2027 election, with the coalition seeking to present a united front against other candidates.
Key points
- Six opposition parties in Nigeria's Benue South Senatorial District have endorsed Senator Abba Moro's re-election bid for 2027.
- The parties plan to withdraw their candidates from the race and formally endorse Moro.
- The coalition will focus on competency, track record, and integrity in selecting a candidate, rather than zoning.
