OTUKPO – Former Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. David Olofu, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress senatorial flagbearer for Benue South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dr. Olofu emerged as the consensus candidate of the party following primaries conducted across the nine local government areas of the district. His candidature was formally affirmed in Otukpo on Sunday.

Declaring the result, the ADC Returning Officer, Barr. Ogah Ekwu, said Dr. Olofu satisfied all constitutional requirements of the party and was unanimously endorsed across the zone.

“Dr. Olofu, having met all the requirements of the constitution of the party, is hereby returned as the sole candidate and duly elected ADC senatorial candidate for Benue South,” Ekwu stated.

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Olofu described his emergence as a collective victory for the people of Benue South. He pledged to run an inclusive leadership that accommodates every interest and stakeholder in the district.

He stated that representation for the zone “shall no longer be a one-man show,” and announced plans to establish a “Benue South People’s Assembly” and a “Benue South People’s Council” to deepen consultation, unity, and collective decision-making.

The former commissioner said the protection of lives and communities would be his top priority if elected, noting that insecurity had continued to cripple the agricultural strength and economic potential of the district.

“As outlined in my blueprint, my first charge shall be the protection of our people. This will begin with restoring security to our communities and unlocking the full potential of our agricultural economy,” he said.

Dr. Olofu outlined his vision as building “a secure Benue South where lives and livelihoods are protected, a productive economy where agriculture and enterprise thrive, a strong educational system that prepares our children for the future, infrastructure that connects our communities and unlocks opportunities, and a government that is accountable, responsive, and people-centred.”

He assured party faithful that no bloc would be sidelined and stressed that unity, inclusion, and purposeful representation would define his senatorial ambition.

The declaration was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and members of the press.

In politics, some victories are wins. Others are reaffirmations.

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s decisive victory in the APC senatorial primary for Imo North, winning across all 54 wards, falls in the second category. At a time when political loyalties shift quickly, the outcome sent a message beyond party mechanics: some structures aren’t built for one election cycle. They’re built over decades through relationships, consistency, and a real grassroots presence.

For his supporters, the ticket was secondary. The vote reaffirmed a political force whose relevance has survived changing governments, shifting alliances, and repeated attempts to sideline him.

In Imo politics, Araraume has become rare: a politician whose staying power doesn’t depend solely on holding office. He has remained visible and active across Imo North, not as the campaign-only candidate who vanishes after elections. His machinery endures because it was built outside electoral convenience.

That durability rests on three pillars: deep grassroots networks, institutional experience, and strategic calculation.

Those foundations first brought him national prominence when he was elected to the Senate in 1999 under the PDP and re-elected in 2003. In the Senate, he chaired the Committee on Power and Steel, served as Vice Chairman of the Niger Delta and Culture and Tourism committees, and led the Southern Senators Forum. His tenure produced tangible projects, including the transmission line from Alaoji to Okigwe and the inclusion of Imo and Abia in the Niger Delta Development Commission.

His influence extended beyond the National Assembly. As a Commissioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission, he was part of the team that oversaw Nigeria’s telecoms liberalisation. Later, as Non-Executive Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under President Muhammadu Buhari, he reinforced his standing in national policy circles.

But his core base remains the grassroots. Across Imo North, Araraume has maintained a structure that has survived multiple party configurations. While many politicians rely on incumbency, his influence has repeatedly shown it can survive outside office.

That resilience was tested in 2007. After winning the PDP governorship primary, he was excluded from the ballot. He challenged it in court and won at the Supreme Court, an outcome that cemented his reputation as a politician who doesn’t yield easily. To many supporters, he became a symbol of endurance.

He has remained a recurring force since. His 2019 governorship run under APGA again forced opponents to recalibrate. Political observers have predicted his decline for years, yet each cycle returns him to the centre of the conversation.

Rumours that he had stepped down from the senatorial race collapsed when APC party members voted. For many in Imo North, his emergence felt less like an upset than the restoration of a familiar order.

Araraume’s style aids his longevity. He’s not a flamboyant populist. His approach is measured, strategic, and focused on timing and structure. Those who mistake his composure for weakness often underestimate a veteran tactician.

Beyond Imo State, his likely return to the National Assembly is seen as a boost for experienced legislative engagement. Supporters argue his years in national politics and his network position him to play a stabilising role as Nigeria’s governance landscape evolves.

For Imo North, the calculation is simpler: they see a familiar figure with the experience and connections to attract federal attention and development to the zone. That expectation explains why his influence has endured.

In a system where relevance often fades quickly, Araraume has remained. Others rise and vanish. He stays.

With this primary election win, Imo North has signalled that experience and structure still command respect in Nigerian politics. After decades in the arena, Araraume retains the rare ability to return to the centre of relevance when many assume the story is over.

■ Sufuyan Ojeifo is a journalist and publisher.

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Samson Chukwu Nnamani has been suspended by the party.

The Advocate reports that his suspension, endorsed by all the members of the State Working Committee, SWC, was announced in a report dated May 22, 2026.

The development leaves former minister, Chief Uche Nnaji as the sole aspirant for the party’s ticket in Enugu State.

Nnamani, popularly known as Odera was accused of launching unwarranted attacks against party leaders, as well as other anti-party activities.

He was earlier disqualified from participating in the PDP primaries.

Nnamani is being accused of conduct considered detrimental to the unity, image and integrity of the party.

According to the report, “The disciplinary process leading to his suspension began with a formal petition dated 20th May 2026 written by Hon. Edeh Peter Chibuike, a former Councillor representing Ward 3 Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. In the petition addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Enugu State, the petitioner accused Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani of engaging in actions capable of bringing the party into disrepute, hatred and public contempt contrary to the provisions of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).

“Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani allegedly made and widely circulated negative publications against fellow PDP governorship aspirant, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji. The petitioner further alleged that the publications not only attacked Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji personally but also criticized the party for clearing him to contest on the platform of the PDP. The petitioner stated that the publications were circulated to notable party members including the South East Zonal Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Ahumibe Michael C., and Hon. Obiora Ugwu among others.

“The petition maintained that the actions of Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani contravened Sections 58(1)(b), (f) and (h) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended), which deal with acts capable of undermining the party, creating disaffection within the party and exposing the party to ridicule and hatred. The petitioner therefore urged the party leadership to suspend Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani and refer him to the appropriate disciplinary organs of the party for further sanctions.

“Following the receipt of the petition, the PDP Enugu State Chapter convened an Expanded Emergency State Working Committee meeting and formally invited Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani to appear before the committee to defend himself against the allegations contained in the petition.

“In a letter dated 21st May 2026 and signed by the State Secretary of the party, Hon. Chukwunonye Okereke, Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani was invited to attend the emergency meeting scheduled for Friday, 22nd May 2026 at the residence of the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Vitus Okechi, located at Okechi Estate opposite ANAMCO, Emene, Enugu.

“The invitation letter stated clearly that the purpose of the meeting was to give him the opportunity to respond to the allegations leveled against him by Hon. Peter Chibuike Edeh. A copy of the petition was attached to the invitation letter for his attention and response.

“However, during the meeting held on 22nd May 2026, the Expanded Emergency State Working Committee noted that Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani failed to honour the invitation despite evidence showing that the letter had been successfully delivered to him through a courier service company.

“After deliberations and preliminary hearing on the matter, the committee resolved that the publications and actions of Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani were made in bad faith and were intended to portray the PDP negatively before the public while creating internal division within the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.

“The committee further held that his refusal to appear before the party to defend himself amounted to acceptance of the allegations contained in the petition and demonstrated disregard for the authority and disciplinary structures of the party.

Consequently, the Expanded State Working Committee resolved as follows:

“That the publications made and circulated by Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani against fellow governorship aspirant, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, were capable of bringing the party into hatred, contempt and disrepute.

“That his conduct contravened Sections 58(1)(a), (b), (f) and (h) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended). 3. That his refusal to honour the invitation extended to him by the party despite confirmed proof of delivery was condemnable and amounted to an admission of the allegations against him.

“That in line with Section 57(3) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended), Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani be suspended from the party for a period of one month with effect from 22nd May 2026.

“That he be referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the party for further investigation and necessary disciplinary measures in accordance with Sections 57(4) and 57(5) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).

“Following the resolution, the PDP Enugu State Chapter inaugurated a seven-man disciplinary committee headed by Barr. Emeka Abah to further investigate the allegations against Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani and recommend additional disciplinary actions where necessary. The party leadership emphasized that the decision was taken in the interest of party discipline, unity, internal democracy and the protection of the integrity of the PDP in Enugu State as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

“The suspension of Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani has since generated political reactions within the state, with many party faithful viewing the action a strong signal by the PDP leadership that acts capable of causing division, disunity and public embarrassment within the party would not be tolerated irrespective of the status of those involved.”