*Says He Holds the Aces to a Greater Benue
A respected development advocate and grassroots mobilizer Arc. Tony Ejeh Obekpa has officially declared his intention to contest for the office of the Governor of Benue State, promising a transformational agenda aimed at repositioning the state for prosperity, peace, and inclusive growth.
In a public statement, the aspirant said his decision was driven by a moral duty to rescue Benue from its current decline, and to offer purposeful leadership rooted in experience, empathy, and performance.
“This decision is not born out of personal ambition but compelled by the urgent need to reset Benue on the path of purposeful leadership, people-centered governance, and sustainable development,” the aspirant stated.
Describing the state of affairs in Benue as “a crossroads of disillusionment, poverty, and insecurity,” he said the time has come for stakeholders across the political divide to unite behind a candidate with the vision, credibility, and capacity to move the state forward.
With a long-standing track record in community development, security collaboration, youth empowerment, and agricultural advocacy, the governorship hopeful argued that he represents the bridge between the state’s challenges and its unrealized potential.
“Benue does not need more promises. Benue needs a proven hand, a servant-leader who understands the terrain, has walked the path with the people, and holds the aces to truly unlock Benue’s greatness,” he said.
He highlighted his leadership contributions in fostering collaborative security strategies, and noted that such models would be expanded state-wide to restore peace and investor confidence.
On youth empowerment and economic revival, the aspirant announced plans to establish a Benue Enterprise Hub that will provide skills training, SME financing, and incubation support to thousands of youths, artisans, and small-scale entrepreneurs.
He also spoke extensively on his already developed Agricultural Roadmap for Food Security, which focuses on providing farmers with access to inputs, modern technology, and viable markets to unlock Benue’s agricultural wealth.
The declaration also served as a clarion call to stakeholders across the state, traditional leaders, civil servants, professionals, youth groups, religious leaders, and the diaspora , to join hands in building what he called “a new Benue.”
“We can no longer afford leadership experiments or power games driven by personal gain. Benue needs healing. Benue needs a leader who listens, leads with empathy, and governs with justice,” he said, noting that he would run an inclusive government reflective of the state’s diverse demography and interests.
The aspirant, whose name is being widely mentioned in political circles ahead of the next election cycle, is believed to enjoy support across party lines and civil society networks, owing to his decades-long service in the development and humanitarian sectors.
With his formal declaration, he now joins the growing list of contenders positioning themselves for the 2027 governorship race in Benue State.
Observers say his entry into the race may significantly alter the dynamics, especially among stakeholders seeking a credible, home-grown, and unifying alternative to the status quo.
