By Peter Duru, Makurdi

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Benue State, Mr. Terwase Orbunde, has pledged to mobilise both grassroots-based and international support to confront the worsening insecurity in the state if elected governor in 2027.

Orbunde made the pledge during an interactive session with the Kwande Intermediate Area Interparty Governorship Advocacy Committee and other stakeholders in Ushongo town.

The former Chief of Staff to the Governor said the persistent attacks and occupation of communities in parts of Benue by armed groups demand a response that goes beyond local efforts, noting that the attackers operate through transnational networks.

“Since those attacking and occupying our communities have networks that cut across several countries, only a corresponding and superior international network can effectively surmount them,” Orbunde said.

He recalled a public disclosure by a former governor of a northern state who admitted making payments to bandits across different African countries, to underscore the international dimension of Nigeria’s security challenges.

According to Orbunde, during the buildup to his 2023 governorship bid, he initiated preliminary engagements on security collaboration, during which countries such as Israel, alongside the European Union and the United States of America, expressed interest in supporting efforts to address insecurity in Benue.

He explained that such international assistance, if properly harnessed, could be deployed to tackle both external threats and internal security challenges confronting the state.

The governorship hopeful appealed to stakeholders from the Kwande Intermediate Area to support his ambition, saying their backing had been instrumental to his political growth and preparedness for leadership.

Orbunde outlined his political and administrative experience, including serving as a member of the House of Representatives, local government chairman, and Chief of Staff to the Governor, roles which he said afforded him years of participation in the state security council.

He noted that these positions exposed him directly to what he described as the “existential security and economic threats” facing Benue State.

Dignitaries at the meeting included the APC Zonal Chairman for Zone A, Vincent Uji; a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Atsaga Anemba; APC Ushongo caucus chairman, Chief Joseph Ormye Mayange; former Ushongo Local Government chairman, Lady Veronica Gajir; APC and PDP local government party chairmen from Ushongo and Kwande, as well as other party stalwarts from both council areas.