The Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Benue State, Comrade Simon Ogbe, has challenged Senator Abba Moro to match his words with action by rejecting calls to run for another term in the Senate come 2027.
In a strongly worded statement, Ogbe accused Moro of double standards, saying the senator cannot continue to preach justice and power rotation in Benue politics while clinging to the Benue South (Zone C) senatorial seat.
“For too long, the Senate seat has been concentrated in one local government while the Idoma nation continues to aspire for the governorship. Moro has been one of the loudest voices demanding fairness from our Tiv brothers, yet he refuses to apply the same principle in his own backyard,” Ogbe declared.
He warned that such a “sit-tight mentality” only deepens divisions and undermines the Idoma people’s collective struggle for both the governorship and the creation of Apa State.
Ogbe pointed to growing agitation among the Igede communities in Oju and Obi as proof that political exclusion within Zone C is becoming intolerable. “You cannot keep recycling one man and expect others to remain silent. This selfishness is exactly why our Tiv brothers hesitate to entrust the Idoma with the governorship seat,” he said.
While acknowledging Moro’s record as Minister of Interior, Ogbe argued that his talents are better suited for executive roles, not an indefinite stay in the legislature. He insisted that new leaders must be allowed to emerge to carry the Idoma struggle forward.
“The Idoma cause is bigger than Abba Moro. If he truly believes in justice, he should step aside after 2027 and let other local governments in Zone C have their turn,” Ogbe stressed.
The ZLP chairman announced that the party will field a strong candidate for the Senate seat in 2027 and mobilize across party lines to break what he described as a monopoly of one local government. According to him, ZLP candidates will be limited to eight years in office and must support fair rotation across all nine local governments of Zone C.
“Moro must understand that clinging to power will only weaken the Idoma quest for higher offices. The time for justice is now. Zone C deserves inclusion, and one man cannot hold the future of an entire people hostage,” Ogbe concluded.
