By Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi, Reporting for Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The 2027 senatorial ambition of the candidate of the Benue State Peoples Democratic Congress, Mr. Thomas Tyolumun Unongo yesterday received the biggest boost as the Kwande Traditional Council insisted that the 2027 Benue Northeast slot must be for a Kwande son.
This position was restated in Kwande yesterday by the Kwande Traditional Council led by Tor Kwande, His Royal Highness Ambrose Pine Iortyer when the PDP candidate went for consultation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While presenting Unongo to the Kwande Traditional Council, PDP State Vice Chairman, Chief Azua Ashongo informed the royal fathers that the party had zoned the Zone A senatorial seat to Kwande and subsequently adopted Unongo as its consensus candidate so that Kwande too can have a fair share of the national cake since the zone hasn’t produced a senator since the return of democracy in 1999.
Recall that has produced senators for 16 years while Jechira has produced senator for twelve years.
During the presentation of the PDP candidate to the Kwande Traditional Council, Chief Azua Ashongo described Unongo as a distinguished young leader with the capacity to provide quality representation and deliver meaningful development to the zone.
Addressing the Council, Unongo said his ambition is driven by a desire to serve and develop the people of Benue North-East. He recalled that his late father, elder statesman Wanteregh Paul Unongo entrusted him to former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki under whom he served as a trusted senatorial aide and gained valuable experience in legislative practice and public service.
Drawing from that experience, he pledged to attract development, initiate people oriented projects and provide effective representation for the zone.
He also informed the Council that he had recently visited his maternal home in Sankera where he received the blessings of his kinsmen and was conferred with the traditional title of Igbalumun.
Unongo appealed to the Kwande Traditional Council to engage with other intermediate areas across the senatorial district and support his aspiration to represent Zone A at the Senate.
Responding on behalf of the Council, the Tor Kwande, His Royal Highness Ambrose Pine Iortyer blessed Unongo’s aspiration and urged him to proceed with confidence as a son of Kwande, expressing hope that he would emerge victorious and bring honour to the area.
During the consultation, Unongo donated eleven cows and cash gifts to the Kwande Traditional Council as a mark of appreciation and respect.