All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prof. Kohol Iornem, has lauded the new amendment to the Electoral Act, saying it provides party members with the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates for the forthcoming elections.
Amidst calls, Prof. Kohol last week declared his intention to run for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency seat on the APC platform. Those calling on him to contest the election cite his humanitarian record, community-building efforts, educational support, and his status as a businessman of international repute, whose development strides align with those of the Governor of Benue State, Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
Prof. Iornem has a deep understanding of the challenges confronting the people of the Federal Constituency, having engaged in door-to-door outreach during the last election cycle.
While acknowledging that effective representation requires collaboration with critical stakeholders and decision-makers at both the state and federal levels, Prof. Iornem believes it is important that people have the freedom to elect leaders they believe have the capacity to solve their problems. This, he says, is the opportunity the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended) has provided.
According to the APC chieftain, fairness and equity, often referred to as zoning, have helped to unite the country since the return to democracy in 1999. He therefore appreciated Kwande/Ushongo leaders and supporters for agreeing that it is only right for the seat to return to Ushongo, which held it for only eight years (with Mbagwa serving four years and Mata serving four years).
He also expressed appreciation for the massive support from party leaders, youths, women, elders, and supporters across Kwande and Ushongo LGAs, who have embraced the House of Representatives project as their own and committed their time and resources to ensuring the constituency gets it right this time with him as their representative.
According to a statement by the Prof. Kohol Iornem Media and Communications Directorate, the professor of Business Management has accepted to contest the 2027 election because of his belief that Kwande/Ushongo constituents deserves the best representation, achievable only through collaborative efforts with the state and federal governments as well as fellow lawmakers and international organisations interested in supporting humanitarian causes similar to those facing the constituency.
The office also expressed appreciation to Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, for recently undertaking a personal visit to listen to the concerns and challenges of the Turan people of Kwande Local Government Area (LGA).
It is the popular opinion in the Federal Constituency that zoning for the 2027 Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency favours Ushongo Local Government Area (LGA), one of the two LGAs that make up the Federal Constituency.
Kwande LGA, prior to the 2027 elections, would have held the House of Representatives seat for 16 consecutive years, while Ushongo LGA had only taken a shot at the seat in eight years.
