Makurdi, Benue State – 26 May 2026

Prof. Sebastine Hon SAN has emerged the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State for the 2027 general elections after delegates affirmed him by consensus in Makurdi.

Prof. Hon’s emergence followed a motion moved at the SDP primary election and ratified by a voice vote on Tuesday.

Chairperson of the SDP Primary Election Committee, Mrs. Rosemary Effiong said the process was straightforward given the circumstances.

“In Benue State we have a sole aspirant. We’lll not waste time,” she said.

Hon. Comrade Lawrence Vihimga from Ukum Local Government Area moved that Prof. Hon, having been screened and cleared by the party electoral committee be returned as the party’s candidate for governor.

The motion was seconded by Emmanuel Ibua from Tarka Local Government Area.

The motion was put to a voice vote and greeted with a thunderous “Aiy.”

The chairman of the SDP Electoral Committee subsequently declared Prof. Hon the party’s governorship candidate for 2027.

The announcement sparked jubilation, with drumming, dancing and cheers from party supporters, women and youth groups present.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Hon thanked the SDP leadership for the mandate saying his political journey in other parties had been blocked until he joined the SDP, which he described as the “progress party.”

“In the APC, I met a deadlock. I tried in the PDP, I met a deadlock. The progressives have offered me space,” he said.

He recalled that one of the Benue State’s best governors, Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu and former Senate President Dr. Iyorchia Ayu were both elected on the SDP platform.

“History is respecting itself. We are going into the election as winners because it has been ordained by God.

“Nothing is above the Almighty God. We are marching to victory,” he declared.

Dignitaries at the event included former commissioners in the Gov. Samuel Ortom administration, Rodney Williams Agbatar and Benjamin Agber; former Senior Special Adviser, Chief Silas Anjie; former Adviser to Gov. Moses Adasu and ex-Chairman of the Benue State Pilgrims Commission, Mrs. Margaret Ogar; Director General of the Sebastine Tar Hon Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ngutor Anyam; and retired Exam Officer in Benue State, Chief Isaac Hon.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also present to observe the process.

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Former Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. David Olofu, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress, ADC, senatorial candidate for Benue South ahead of the 2027 general election.

Olofu was adopted as the party’s consensus candidate during primaries held across the nine local government areas of the district and was formally affirmed in Otukpo on Sunday.

Declaring the result, ADC Returning Officer Barr. Ogah Ekwu said Olofu met all constitutional requirements and was returned unopposed as the party’s flag bearer for Benue South.

Describing the outcome as a collective mandate, Olofu said his representation would break from the “one-man show” model and prioritize broad consultation. He announced plans to establish a “Benue South People’s Assembly” and a “Benue South People’s Council” to strengthen unity and collective decision-making across the district.

Security topped his list of priorities, with Olofu lamenting that persistent insecurity had undermined the zone’s agricultural strength and economic potential.

“As outlined in my blueprint, my first charge shall be the protection of our people,” he said. “This will begin with restoring security to our communities and unlocking the full potential of our agricultural economy.”

He outlined a vision for “a secure Benue South where lives and livelihoods are protected; a productive economy where agriculture and enterprise thrive; a strong educational system; infrastructure that connects our communities; and a government that is accountable, responsive, and people-centred.”

Olofu assured party members that no bloc would be sidelined, stating that unity, inclusion, and purposeful representation would define his campaign as he prepares to challenge incumbent Senator Abba Moro and others in the 2027 contest.

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, one of the aspirants in the Benue State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary, has asked the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to declare him the valid winner of the exercise held on May 21, 2026.

In a statement on Saturday, Kuraun said he was the only cleared aspirant who fully complied with the party’s preparatory requirements for the primary. He argued that this placed him in a position to be recognized as the winner.

According to him, he was the sole aspirant who submitted a comprehensive list of local government and ward agents to the Governorship Election Committee, with the submission acknowledged at the APC State Secretariat in Makurdi. He added that neither the incumbent governor nor any other cleared aspirant submitted the required agent lists.

Kuraun also said his agents were fully mobilized and present across wards and local government areas on the scheduled date, while election materials were verified at the state secretariat by his representative, Dr. Samuel Tondo, in the presence of the governor’s representative. He alleged, however, that the materials were never distributed to the field.

“I am willing and prepared to provide pictorial and video evidence to substantiate these claims and demonstrate the level of preparation and compliance undertaken by my team ahead of the scheduled primary election,” he stated.

In view of the above, Kuraun urged the NWC to declare him the winner of the Benue APC governorship primary.

Alternatively, he said the party should conduct a fresh primary under an independent committee constituted and supervised directly by the NWC to determine the true choice of party members.