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By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The camp of Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, has dismissed a purported zoning arrangement by a group, the Benue South Strategic Group, describing it as self-serving and lacking constitutional backing.
In a statement issued by Moro’s Media Adviser, Emmanuel John, the camp said it received “with amusement” the group’s claim that it had zoned the Benue South senatorial seat to Apa/Agatu or Oju/Obi federal constituencies ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, led by a former deputy governor of the state, Engr Benson Abounu, had reportedly urged aspirants from other parts of the district, including Otukpo/Ohimini and Enone, to drop their ambitions on the grounds that the areas had previously produced senators.
Reacting, Moro’s camp questioned the authority of the group to make such a declaration, stressing that its position contravenes the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“One wonders the authority with which the group came up with its zoning formula,” the statement said, noting that members of the group are affiliated with a political party and cannot speak for other parties.
The camp described as “preposterous” the call for other aspirants to step down, alleging that the move was driven by vested political interests rather than the collective good of the district.
“It is preposterous for a group of persons with vested political interests to ask others to jettison their aspirations,” the statement added.
While affirming Moro’s support for zoning as a principle of equity and fairness, the aide stressed that the senator would not endorse what he described as “fraudulent and mischievous manipulation” of the process.
“Senator Moro believes in zoning for equity, fairness and justice, but will not be part of any manipulation targeted at perceived opponents,” the statement said.
The camp also noted that previous occupants of the Benue South senatorial seat, including David Mark and Ameh Ebute, emerged without any formal zoning arrangement, insisting that the contest should remain open.
The statement urged the group to engage voters directly rather than promote what it described as an unpopular zoning formula.
“We urge the group to go to the communities and sell their candidate instead of pushing a zoning arrangement that lacks broad acceptance,” the statement said.
The camp called on the people of Benue South to disregard the group’s claims, insisting that it does not represent the collective interest of the senatorial district.
