By Oboh Linus, Lafia
The Igede extraction of the Benue South Senatorial District has endorsed the former House of Representative member, Nelson Alapa to represent Zone C Senatorial District in the National Assembly come 2027.
This is just as the former Rep. Member drummed support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and his reelection come 2027 to continue his good work of rebuilding the nation’s economy.
Alapa, while speaking at the event held in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State organised the Igede People of Benue South said he was honoured the call and endorsement to represent Zone C Senatorial District come 2027.
According to him, the quest to contest for the seat of the Senate in the zone in 2023 was not for personal gain but to balance the political imbalance in the Benue South Senatorial District.
He explained that since the creation of the Benue South Senatorial District Igede extraction has not benefited in terms of political office of the Senate in the zone.
The former Rep Member, while accepting the call and endorsement, said he would embark on a tour of the zone for further consultation from political leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youth groups to ensure the dream was realised.
He thanked the people of Igede extraction, Ada Igede I of Karu, Chief Sunday Ogor, Mrs Ire Arubi, former chairman of Oju LGA, and women and youths groups for finding him worthy to represent them. He said he would leverage his experiences for effective representation.
“Why has Igede extraction not participated in sharing the political dividends in terms of political office, especially the Senate seat in Zone C Senatorial District?
“I am worried as an Igede son that Igede extraction has not been able to occupy the seat of the Senate, and yet is on records that Igede contributes significantly to the politics of the zone.
“You recall that in the last election, the present senator representing zone C, he was only redeemed and salvaged Igede due to the massive votes he got from Igede,” he said.
He said Igede extraction which is the third majority in Benue State deserved to be first among equals when it comes to sharing of political dividends, noting that politics was about inputs and outputs.
Comrade Daniel Atayi, a political activist and Director of Youth, Project Fairness for Egalitarian Society, said Igede extraction has for long been shortchanged and been in political servitude in Benue South despite their enormous contributions and sacrifices.
He asserted that Sen. Abba Moro should leverage his political antecedents, experiences and competent to contest for governorship position in the state rather than agitating for third term in the Senate.
He noted that Sen.Moro should contest for governorship position to balance the political imbalance being created Zone A and B in the state since the creation of Benue State in 1976.
“Since 1976 when Benue State was created, it hasn’t produced a governor from the Zone C district and Benue is seated on the tripod of Zone A, B, and C, I’m an agitator that believes in fare sharing and fair distribution of power.
Speaking on behalf of the Igede people in Karu LGA, Dr Isaac Ihuma said the call and endorsement of his son, Nelson Alapa was based on his track records of selfless service, sacrifices, and his vision of inclusive leadership for Benue South.
The high point of the event was prayers and royal blessings being received Nelson Alapa from Ada Igede I of Karu, Chief Sunday Ogor for a successful journey ahead of 2027. (NAN)