By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
It is not everyday that members of one party dump their own presidential candidate for another party’s candidate, and in the same breath dump their senatorial candidate for a rival party — and call it strategy. But that is exactly what happened in Benue South on Friday. The move by the NDC Integrity Group is not just about Abba Moro or Bola Tinubu; it is a window into the powerful cross-party “Strategic Alliance” being engineered by SGF George Akume to reshape Benue politics ahead of 2027.
The Benue South NDC Integrity Group, led by Zonal Coordinator Hon. Yakubu Audu and State Coordinator Hon. Emmanuel Orih, visited Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro to announce what they call an “electoral coalition” — they will vote President Bola Tinubu (APC) for President and Abba Moro (PDP) for Senate, instead of Peter Obi and Daniel Onje of their own NDC.
The Akume Factor Is The Real Story:
Both Audu and Orih anchored their defection on the “Strategic Alliance being led by Senator George Akume.” This confirms that the SGF is building a pan-Benue coalition that transcends party lines. It is no longer APC vs PDP vs NDC in Benue; it is Akume’s Alliance vs Governor Alia’s camp. By getting an NDC group to endorse a PDP senator and an APC president, Akume is showcasing a new model where loyalty is to his bloc, not to party manifestos.
Moro’s ‘Voice’ Argument Is Working:
The NDC group’s core justification — that Benue South cannot afford to lose Moro’s voice as Minority Leader in the Senate — is a powerful incumbency argument. Audu’s line: “We cannot bring any new person into the Senate for Benue South now, without the needed voice” resonates in Idoma politics where Senate ranking and national relevance matter. It reframes the 2027 senatorial contest from party popularity to continuity and influence.
Tinubu vs Obi: Reality vs Promise Narrative:
Moro’s response provided the talking point the group will use on the streets. He drew a sharp contrast: “Are we to be listening to candidates that will come and be telling us what they have in plan to do or vote for the one that is already doing concrete things.” He listed the Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi road and Otukpo-Enugu highway as Tinubu’s receipts in Benue. This is a direct jab at Peter Obi’s campaign style and positions Tinubu as the candidate of “realities, not promises.”
The Subtext: A Swipe At Governor Alia:
Moro’s most pointed attack was not at NDC or Labour, but at Governor Hyacinth Alia. He questioned whether Benue South should support “a governor that had spent three years without a single project for commissioning” and alleged discriminatory compensation, N40m to family of Miyetti Allah chairman and N4m to victims of Otukpo-Nobi attacks. He clarified: “I am not against Father Alia but against government led by him.” This shows the 2027 battle in Benue is already a referendum on Alia’s relationship with Zone C.
Bottom Line: The NDC Integrity Group may be small, but its action is a political signal. If Akume can get NDC members to openly campaign for Tinubu and Moro in the heart of Benue South, the 2027 election in the state will not be fought on party symbols, but on alliances, federal projects, and who can protect Idoma interest in Abuja.
