2027: Benue South APC draws line between party, Moro campaign

By Jude Opara

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue South Senatorial District has reaffirmed its loyalty to the party and its candidate, Dr Francis Ottah Agbo, following claims that some APC members had endorsed Senate Minority Leader and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate, Abba Moro, for the 2027 election.

The party said there was no agreement or alliance between its leadership in Benue South and the PDP, describing reports suggesting otherwise as an attempt to mislead voters ahead of the election.

The controversy followed the appearance of a banner bearing the APC’s name and identity at the flag-off of Moro’s 2027 senatorial campaign.

Reacting to the development, APC Zonal Chairman for Benue South, Hon. Job Onum, said the banner and comments reportedly suggesting support for “Tinubu and Moro” did not represent the position of the party in the senatorial district.

Onum, in a statement issued during the weekend, said the APC remained committed to its own candidates and political agenda.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the APC in Benue South has no alliance with the PDP and has not endorsed Senator Abba Moro,” he said.

He added that the party’s political direction remained unchanged, listing President Bola Tinubu for the presidency, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the governorship and Francis Ottah Agbo for the Senate.

The APC chairman described the display of the party’s identity at a PDP campaign event as a “show of shame” and an attempt to create a false impression of cross-party support for Moro.

According to him, it was particularly misleading for APC symbols to be displayed at a PDP event when the opposition party had traditionally claimed Benue South, also known as Zone C, as its political stronghold.

“After years of claiming that Zone C belongs to the PDP, why the sudden desperation to display APC identity at a PDP campaign event?” Onum asked.

He alleged that the development was designed to create the impression that Moro enjoyed broader political support than actually existed.

The APC leadership consequently urged its members to remain calm and disregard what it described as political theatrics involving banners, photographs and other displays allegedly intended to confuse voters and party supporters.

“Let it therefore be stated clearly, Benue South APC is not PDP. APC has not endorsed Abba Moro, APC has its own candidate, and Benue South APC cannot be enticed back to Egypt,” Onum said.

The party further reaffirmed its support for Tinubu, Alia and Ottah Agbo, insisting that its structure in Benue South remained united and focused ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development adds another layer to the emerging political contest in Benue South, where the APC and PDP are expected to engage in a keen battle for the senatorial seat currently occupied by Moro.