The pro-democracy group Kwande United Front for Democracy (KUFOD) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt Prof. Kohol Shadrach Iornem as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency election.
Prof. Kohol is from Ushongo Local Government Area (LGA), where the seat has been zoned.
KUFOD says that, in addition to zoning, competence, capacity, and credibility are necessary ingredients for deciding who is fit to represent the Benue North East Federal Constituency.
Speaking at a Press Conference in Adikpo, the constituency’s headquarters, Convener and Executive Director of KUFOD, Dr John Ahile Ungwanen, said Kwande has faced dire humanitarian, environmental, infrastructural, and protracted security challenges that require only well-tested, effective, and visionary candidates to champion and confront the challenges with the view to providing the right blend of solutions.
The KUFOD Convener noted that KUFOD had earlier in 2025 called for the return of the Kwande/Ushongo House of Representatives Seat in favour of Ushongo LGA with the view to only attract square pegs in square holes as aspiring representatives in the overall interest and progressive future of the constituency.
According to the group, modern democratic leadership thrives on altruistic, genuine, and competent leadership, with a purposeful drive and a populist agenda for the common good. It maintains that Prof Kohol remains the unmatched candidate in its fair ranking, which aims to restore the glory of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
KUFOD also acknowledged Prof Kohol’s impeccable credentials, exposure, experience, and consistent impact on humanity, qualities they said are needed to drive Benue State’s new development agenda beyond 2027 under the sterling leadership of Fr Hyacinth Alia.
According to the group, Prof Kohol’s massive following and acceptance across Kwande and Ushongo LGAs set him apart as an uncommon development frontier whose antecedents are closely intertwined with the governor’s development vision.
It is the contention of KUFOD that since Mata and Mbagwa have uniquely held a single term of four years each, it is fair to allow the best foot to go for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in 2027.
“Prof Kohol Iornem remains impeccably unmatched by every rating of effective representation and leadership,” KUFOD said, insisting that, Kwande LGA in the interest of equity and fairness must be allowed to float its interest for the Benue North East Senate 2027.
Hon John Iyo, Hon Ahundu Ber, and Hon Godwin Tyokighir, amongst other key political leaders, endorsed the position.
