Competence, Maternal Affinities Likely To Determine Outcome For Benue South Senatorial Seat

Ahead of the 2027 general elections that decide political leaderships in Nigeria, there are strong indications that the manipulation majority dislikes and often led to emergency of representatives against the majority decision may not workout again!

But Benue South Senatorial District has exceptionally produced very competent representatives and the calibre of contestants for the senatorial seat for the 2027 election looks set to perform superbly if elected.

This development requires additional variables as said by many that competence alone may not be enough to unseat the incumbent Senator Abba Patrick Moro reputed for high quality performance! 

Indications that the race could be one of the toughest in the political history confirms the introduction of the initiatives like maternal affinities among others for balance equality to take centre stage and produce the winner.

During the April 2026 Easter holidays for instance, one of the aspirants and performer who represented the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon Nelson Alapa briefed journalists of his aspiration at the Easter sit-out. 

Represented by the media chieftain, Samuel Ogbaji, the lawmaker disclosed that he intended to interact personally with journalists but some pressing engagements out of Makurdi stopped him and so, appealed for understanding the situation.

Hon Alapa added that he was consulting stakeholders from the district and journalists being universal stakeholders should know of the aspiration for proper dissemination of the information. He added that being the grassroots politician and connected to rural inhabitants, he remained upbeat about his victory based on good performance.

The two terms former House of Representatives member acknowledged that having made positive impact in the federal legislature in terms of influencing employments for many youths not only in his constituency but also in the old Oju axis, he should be regarded as a development agent and fine unifier in the senatorial district.

Alapa has been seen as the politician "deserving the mandate for the senatorial seat" and the development makes the contest uneasy to determine easily any winner amidst other contestants, particularly the incumbent Senator Moro.

The fact that the senatorial position has not reached all segments in the district may likely influence consideration for the concept of maternal affinity to determine the outcome.

It has been said for instance that the old Otukpo and old Okpokwu, have produced representatives for the district except the old Oju axis! The circumstance of the old Oju in the eyes of balance equality seeks justice for the Igede people to come forward for equity.

But it has been said also that the Igede people from the old Oju bloc may support Alapa being their maternal child in line with their tradition which regards children born by their daughters out of the kingdom to be bonafide members.

This concert appears to have conferred on Hon Alapa the noble maternal relationship with Igede one of the biggest advantages for the contest as Igede blood flows through him and makes automatic son of the soil.