Challenges in Benue South surmountable – ADC chieftain

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Olofu, says developmental challenges in Benue South Senatorial District are surmountable with commitment, unity of purpose and coordination.

Olofu, a two-time Commissioner for Finance in Benue and prospective aspirant for Benue South Senatorial District position in 2027, said this at an interactive session with members of the Idoma Editors Forum in Abuja on Friday.

“I have observed within this period that those of us from Benue South have challenges. These challenges are not beyond what we can surmount.

“I believe that in terms of training, in terms of experience, in terms of exposure, in terms of network and goodwill, I will be able to provide the coordination required for us to overcome these challenges.

“It is time for us to stop the lamentation and declare that going forward; this is what we need to be doing differently. And I know exactly what we should be doing differently,’’ he said.

The immediate past Senior Technical Adviser (STA) to the Nigeria Governors` Forum (NGF), said that the development of the zone requires collective efforts by all sons and daughters from the zone.

“To overcome the challenges in the zone, I have observed it is not a one-man show. It is an effort that requires all hands on deck, including those of you who are living outside the zone.

“This includes defining and developing a framework that incorporates all of our efforts toward achieving that goal of making life better for our people, which democracy is supposed to be all about,’’ he said.

He said that the National Assembly is not just about lawmaking, but ensuring that there is good governance where Nigerians can feel the impact of the laws.

“It is the responsibility of the National Assembly, the State Houses of Assembly and the local councils to ensure that the laws have positive impacts on the people.

“That is what I want to make sure happens in our own case once I am elected into office. And not to approach it from a different dimension,’’ he said.

Olofu said that if elected, he will do things differently by constituting the Benue South People’s Assembly (BSPA), comprising the Senator, House of Representatives members, House of Assembly members and chairmen of all the nine Local Government Areas in the zone.

According to him, each ward in the senatorial district will have a representative at the Assembly, which will meet on a yearly basis just before the preparation of the national and state budgets.

“These are governance structures that will take power off the hands of an individual who is in the Senate, House of Representatives, the House of Assembly or Local government chairman,’’ he said.

He explained that the assembly is essentially for agenda setting for the representatives of the zone.

Olofu said that 2027 is an opportunity for the people of Benue South to do things differently to get the desired results they deserved as a people.

He said that he has consulted widely with critical stakeholders of the zone, describing the reception as overwhelming and encouraging.

“Consultation will continue. Even meeting you today is part of my consultation.

“I expect that at the end of all this conversation, by the end of this year and going into 2026, I can now come up with a comprehensive programme dealing with the situation that we have at hand,’’ he said.

Olofu, who outlined his vision for the zone, said if elected, he will set up a constituency office to stimulate development and galvanise growth in the entire zone.

He also pledged to create industrial corridors in the senatorial district to curb unemployment and address the lingering security challenges confronting the zone.

“As your representative, I shouldn’t be dictating to you. So what we are going to do differently is to change that orientation and this structure. We will effectively do that.