By Francis Ter
Makurdi
Hon. Iveren Ukula, widely known as “Queen Amina” of Benue State, has thrown her hat into the 2027 Benue North-West Senatorial race under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that competence will bury zoning and “results, not rhetoric” will drive her tenure.
At a packed declaration rally in Makurdi on Saturday, Ukula dismantled old political excuses and set a hard agenda: data, delivery, and disruption of the status quo.
She vowed to empanel a 90-member advisory team tasked with producing research-based reports on constituency needs. “We will engage regularly with the people to understand their needs and reflect them directly in the budget,” she said. “This is about results, not rhetoric.”
Ukula declared war on “white elephant projects,” promising that every legislative push will target practical interventions with measurable impact.
Her blueprint includes inter-local government competitions to scout and expose young talent to international opportunities in sports and other fields.
-on the issue of Zoning.“I don’t believe in zoning; I believe in capacity. Leadership should be about what you can deliver,” she told journalists, dismissing entitlement politics outright.
Explaining Why She’s Running.
Ukula said years of lobbying offices for her people exposed the limits of advocacy. “I have gone from office to office, pleading for support for my people. It became clear that the Senate provides a stronger platform to solve these problems decisively.”
On gender, she was blunt: “Competence, rather than gender, should define leadership.” The “Queen Amina” moniker, she noted, dates back to childhood — and she intends to rule her campaign with the same fearlessness.
Ukula who before now was a journalist framed her candidacy as a direct response to “persistent socio-economic challenges” crushing Benue North-West: insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and collapsing healthcare and education. She pledged to champion security, farmer support, youth empowerment, access to basic services, transparency, and accountability.
“This is not just a campaign; it is a movement for purposeful representation. Our people deserve a senator who will speak, act, and deliver,” she declared.
The declaration drew key political players. Former Benue North-West senator Orker Jev, represented by elder Terkaa Agba, endorsed Ukula’s courage. Benue South senatorial aspirant Dr. David Olofu, represented by Engr. Okpe Onah, and community leader Alhaji Musa Plateau also pledged backing ahead of the polls.
Ukula’s entry detonates the 2027 race. With zoning dismissed, incumbents on notice, and a data-first, no-excuses platform, Benue North-West is now a battleground. The message from “Queen Amina” is clear: perform or be replaced.
Want a breakdown of her 90-member advisory team model or the key rivals she’ll face in ADC and others
