A socio-political pressure group, the Movement for the Actualization of Kwande Gubernatorial Ambition (MAKGA), has tipped the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor, as a leading contender for the Benue State governorship in 2027.
The endorsement comes amid growing agitation for the zoning of the governorship to the Kwande Intermediate Area, aimed at completing what the group described as the second-term cycle of the late former governor, Aper Aku.
Addressing a press conference in Makurdi, the Convener of MAKGA, Ikyem Leonard, said the group had, over the past year, consulted widely across Benue State and engaged political leaders across party lines to build consensus for the emergence of a governor from Kwande in the next election cycle.
Leonard said with political parties expected to commence zoning discussions in 2026, it had become necessary for Kwande to present credible and broadly acceptable aspirants capable of securing the governorship for the area.
He described Ugbor as a strong option, citing his legislative performance at the National Assembly, vocal interventions on insecurity, and what he called people-oriented constituency projects.
According to the group, the lawmaker has executed projects across almost all the 26 council wards in Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, including interventions in water supply, education and rural electrification.
It added that Ugbor has also implemented 10 agricultural empowerment programmes within two years in office to boost food production in the constituency.
MAKGA further credited Ugbor with playing a key role in the amendment of the Student Loans Act signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the development has enabled over 20,000 students from Benue State to access funding for tertiary education.
Leonard said Ugbor’s background in both the private sector and public service, coupled with what he described as his integrity, leadership temperament and unifying vision, positioned him to govern the state effectively if he joins the race.
He stressed that the call on the federal lawmaker to contest was “a collective appeal by the people of Kwande and his constituents,” urging him to heed the call to service ahead of the 2027 election.
The group also acknowledged other sons of Kwande who have indicated interest in the governorship, including the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Pius Akutah; former Chief of Staff to the Benue State Governor, Terwase Orbunde; North Central representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission board, Engr. Nick Wende; and former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Tersoo Loko, among others.
Leonard said MAKGA would, in consultation with key stakeholders, soon commence a detailed assessment of all governorship aspirants from Kwande with a view to possible adoption and endorsement.
He added that the group would intensify its campaign in 2026 to ensure the zoning of the governorship to Kwande, while calling on residents of the state to conduct their political activities peacefully and within the confines of the law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
