An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Benue State, Hon. Terwase Orbunde, has hinged his 2027 governorship ambition on his years of experience in security governance, saying his exposure as a member of the State Security Council positions him to tackle the state’s worsening insecurity.
Orbunde spoke during an interactive session with the Kwande Intermediate Area Interparty Governorship Advocacy Committee and other stakeholders at Doo Palace Resort, Ushongo, Ushongo Local Government Area.
The former Chief of Staff to the Governor said armed groups attacking and occupying parts of Benue operate through coordinated networks that extend beyond Nigeria’s borders, stressing that defeating them requires a strategic response built on intelligence, coordination and experience.
He said his years in government gave him firsthand knowledge of what he described as the existential security and economic threats facing the state.
Orbunde recalled remarks previously attributed to a former Kaduna State governor on engagements with bandits across several African countries, noting that the comment underscored the transnational nature of insecurity confronting Benue and other parts of the country.
According to him, during preliminary engagements ahead of his 2023 governorship bid, international actors including Israel, the European Union and the United States had indicated interest in supporting security efforts in Benue.
He said such support, if harnessed, could be deployed to address both internal and external security challenges affecting the state.
The APC aspirant appealed to stakeholders from the Kwande Intermediate Area to support his governorship bid, saying their backing had contributed significantly to his political growth and preparedness for leadership.
Orbunde listed his experience to include serving as a member of the House of Representatives, local government chairman and Chief of Staff to the Governor, roles which he said afforded him the opportunity to serve on the State Security Council for several years.
Dignitaries at the session included the APC Zonal Chairman for Zone A, Barr. Vincent Uji; PDP chieftain, Elder Atsaga Anemba; APC Ushongo Caucus Chairman, Chief Joseph Ormye Mayange; former Ushongo Council Chairman, Lady Veronica Gajir; as well as APC and PDP local government party chairmen from Ushongo and Kwande local government areas, alongside other party stalwarts.
