The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue South Senatorial District has debunked reports suggesting that it endorsed the Senate Minority Leader and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate, Abba Moro, for the 2027 election.
Politics Nigeria reports that the party said it remained firmly behind its candidate, Dr Francis Ottah Agbo.
It stressed that there was no alliance between the APC and PDP in Benue South, popularly known as Zone C.
The clarification followed the emergence of a banner bearing the APC’s name and identity at the flag-off of Moro’s 2027 senatorial campaign, an incident that generated speculation about an alleged cross-party endorsement.
In a statement issued on Saturday, APC Zonal Chairman in Benue South, Job Onum, described the display of the banner and comments reportedly expressing support for “Tinubu and Moro” as an attempt to create a false impression that the ruling party had thrown its weight behind the PDP candidate.
Onum said the APC leadership in the district neither authorised nor endorsed the development.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the APC in Benue South has no alliance with the PDP and has not endorsed Senator Abba Moro.
“The APC has its candidate, Dr Francis Ottah Agbo, and our political direction is clear, Tinubu for President, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for Governor and Dr Francis Ottah Agbo for the Senate,” he said.
The zonal chairman described the alleged display of the party’s identity at a PDP campaign event as a “show of shame” and an act of desperation intended to mislead voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, it was unacceptable for individuals attending a PDP event to use APC symbols in a manner capable of suggesting an endorsement that did not exist.
“This is not an endorsement. It is a shameless show of desperation,” Onum said.
The APC also questioned the motive behind the alleged use of its identity at a PDP campaign, particularly given the PDP’s longstanding claim that Benue South remains its political stronghold.
“After years of claiming that Zone C belongs to the PDP, why the sudden desperation to display APC identity at a PDP campaign event?
“The answer is obvious, it is an attempt to create an illusion of cross-party acceptance that does not exist,” the party said.
Onum maintained that the APC would not abandon its candidate or political structure in the district, declaring that the party “cannot be enticed back to Egypt.”
He urged APC members to remain calm and disregard what he described as political theatrics designed to cause confusion through banners, photographs and other displays.
The party reaffirmed its support for President Bola Tinubu, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and Agbo ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The APC in Benue South remains united, focused and resolute.
“We will not be deceived. We will not be distracted. And we will not go back to Egypt,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports claiming that it does not have governorship candidates in 12 states ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, in a statement on Saturday, said the NDC had nominated governorship candidates in all 28 states where governorship elections would be conducted in 2027.
Director described the contrary report as false and malicious propaganda intended to mislead the public and undermine the party’s growing political momentum.
He said the NDC was “fully prepared, fully structured, and fully on ground” across the country, insisting that the party was not a regional organisation.
“Our party is fully prepared, fully structured, and fully on ground in every state of the federation. The NDC is not a regional party. We are a national movement with candidates, structures, and supporters in all 36 states and the FCT,” he said.
The party urged media professionals to verify political claims before publication, warning that the spread of unverified information could undermine public confidence in the media and democratic process.
Director said the NDC would remain focused on issue-based politics despite what he described as attempts to distract the party ahead of the 2027 elections.k
He said Nigerians were increasingly seeking an alternative to the existing political order, claiming that the NDC was positioned to “rescue and rebuild” the country through its proposed agenda on security, employment and accountability.
“We call on all Nigerians to join the movement. The rescue mission has started,” he added.
