Kwande stakeholders have demanded that Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende honour the agreement signed with the Kwande United Peoples Organisation (KWUPO) in December 2023 and support the candidature of Hon. Thomas Tyolumun Unongo for the 2027 senatorial seat.
The Kwande Progressive Forum, Makurdi Branch, has accused Senator Udende of betraying Kwande’s political trust and called on him to pave the way for Unongo in the Zone A senatorial contest.
In a strongly worded statement, the forum argued that public officeholders must be accountable to their constituents and that political agreements reached with community organisations should not be disregarded when they become inconvenient.
They maintain that the 2027 senatorial election presents an opportunity to address concerns about equitable representation and give Kwande a fair chance to produce the next senator for Zone A.
The stakeholders further demanded clear answers from Senator Udende on his legislative achievements, employment opportunities, political appointments, youth empowerment initiatives, and the fulfilment of campaign promises to Kwande Nation over the past three years.
Expressing dissatisfaction, the former Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Elder Boniface Ukende, has also challenged Senator Udende over his interpretation of Tiv history and the principles guiding political zoning in Benue North-East Senatorial District.
Ukende cautioned against using historical narratives to advance political interests, arguing that such arguments could deepen divisions among communities. He questioned why Udende approached Kwande stakeholders in 2023 to negotiate the Senate seat through KWUPO if he now maintains that the existing zoning arrangement does not support Kwande’s claim.
Beyond the zoning controversy, the Kwande stakeholders forum demanded a comprehensive assessment of Senator Udende’s performance over the past three years in Kwande Nation, insisting that the people of Zone A deserve leadership that prioritises security, development, youth empowerment, and effective representation.
The forum maintains that the 2027 senatorial election presents an opportunity to address concerns about representation and give Kwande a fair chance to produce the next senator for Zone A.
