Terkaa Ucha Launches 2027 Benue Governorship Bid Citing Escalating Insecurity and Mass Hardship

PDP’s Terkaa Ucha declares 2027 governorship bid in Benue, vowing to tackle state hardship and farmer-herder clashes through strict law enforcement.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 6:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PUNCH

The Declaration of a New Political Mandate

Terkaa Ucha, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former member of the state assembly, has formally entered the race for the 2027 Benue State governorship. Speaking at the party’s secretariat in Makurdi on Friday, April 17, 2026, Ucha articulated a vision centered on rectifying the current developmental trajectory of the state. He presented his notification of intent to the State Working Committee, framing his candidacy as a direct response to the urgent cries for help from residents. His entry into the race signals the early commencement of political maneuvering within the state as stakeholders begin to align for the next election cycle.

Addressing the Crisis of Insecurity and Rural Conflict

The aspirant placed the ongoing security challenges facing Benue at the forefront of his legislative and executive agenda. Ucha noted that safety has become the primary concern for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation. Having participated in the enactment of the Anti Open Grazing Law during his tenure as a lawmaker, he argued that the proper, phased implementation of this legislation remains the most viable solution to farmer herder clashes. According to Ucha, the law contains specific provisions for modernizing animal husbandry that, if executed correctly, would create a mutually beneficial environment for all parties involved while securing rural communities.

Economic Hardship and the Call for Administrative Change

Beyond physical security, Ucha highlighted a pervasive sense of economic despair affecting the generality of Benue indigenes. He asserted that the masses who supported the current administration are now grappling with unprecedented levels of hardship in their respective wards and communities. This decline in living standards is the primary catalyst for the growing public outcry for a change in leadership. Ucha contended that meaningful socioeconomic progress is impossible under the current administrative framework, necessitating a total replacement of the governing team in the 2027 polls to restore the state’s prosperity.