With the 2027 general elections approaching, political tension is rising in Benue South Senatorial District as opposition parties mobilise to halt Senator Abba Moro’s bid for a third term in the National Assembly.
Moro, a former Minister of Interior and current Senate Minority Leader, is widely believed to be seeking re-election, a move that would extend his legislative career to 12 years and continue the political succession that followed former Senate President David Mark’s 20-year dominance of the seat.
Elected in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Moro won decisively across all nine local government areas, consolidating the party’s grip on the zone. His re-election in 2023, however, proved more competitive, with shrinking margins exposing growing opposition strength and shifting voter sentiment.
As 2027 nears, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) are reportedly exploring alliances to end the PDP’s long-standing hold on the district. Analysts say the opposition views the next election as its best opportunity yet, amid calls for generational change, zoning and broader political inclusion.
Several aspirants have emerged across party lines, including APC’s Daniel Onjeh, a former NANS president; Francis Ottah Agbo, a former House of Representatives member; ADC’s David Olofu, a former commissioner for finance; and APC chieftain Nelson Alapa. Other aspirants are also positioning themselves as potential challengers in what is expected to be a crowded race.
Defending Moro’s continued stay in the Senate, his media aide, Peter Apeh Ejeh, argued that experience and continuity are critical in legislative politics, citing federal projects and Moro’s influence as Senate Minority Leader as reasons he deserves another term.
However, critics disagree. Former Ogbadibo Local Government chairman and aspirant, Samuel Onuh, said eight years is sufficient to deliver results, arguing that extended tenure does not automatically translate into better performance. ADC chieftain Dan Atayi echoed the sentiment, calling for power rotation, inclusivity and merit-based representation.
Moro’s challenge may be further compounded by the loss of several key allies and political loyalists to the APC and ADC since 2025, including prominent figures who played central roles in his previous electoral victories.
As the contest unfolds, political observers say the 2027 race will test whether experience and incumbency can withstand growing demands for change, with the final decision resting in the hands of voters who must choose between continuity and a new political direction for Benue South.