Dr. David Adejo Abraham Olofu, the African Democratic Congress senatorial candidate for Benue South, has unveiled a comprehensive 12-point legislative agenda anchored on People, Power, Prosperity and Progress. Olofu presented the blueprint during the zonal campaign flag-off in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, signaling his preparedness to offer purposeful representation for the nine local government areas in the district come 2027.
Addressing party faithful and community leaders, the former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning stated that the upcoming electoral cycle offers a vital window to reshape political leadership and fast-track regional advancement. His policy framework is built upon his extensive background in public administration, alongside previous private and community-focused interventions spanning education, health, and economic empowerment.
What are the core components of Olofu's prior interventions?
To substantiate his dedication to grassroots welfare, Olofu pointed to three distinct empowerment frameworks through which he has disbursed millions of naira to vulnerable demographics and nascent enterprises. Under the Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative, launched in 2024, more than 300 undergraduates from the nine local government areas have received annual scholarships valued at ₦100,000 per student, drawing a total funding commitment of ₦30 million over a three-year period.
Additionally, in November 2025, he allocated ₦10 million to St. Helen’s Specialist Hospital in Otukpo to clear accumulated medical bills for indigent pregnant women, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations. Through his Wealth and Empowerment in Benue South initiative, beneficiaries have similarly accessed grants of ₦200,000 each under a ₦10 million annual layout designed to run for five years, specifically targeting rural widows and micro-entrepreneurs.
What does the 12-point legislative agenda entail?
Olofu's newly released manifesto prioritizes education, healthcare, agriculture, enterprise expansion, digital literacy, infrastructure, local government autonomy, security, equitable resource distribution, and institutional transparency. He pledged to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics education, set up science laboratories across council headquarters, construct public libraries, and broaden student mentorship networks.
To combat youth joblessness, he outlined plans for dedicated information and communication technology hubs to train youths in software engineering and electronic commerce. Olofu noted that his tenure as Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning from 2015 to 2023, coupled with his service as Chairman of the Forum of State Commissioners for Finance and Senior Technical Adviser on Fiscal Policy to the Nigeria Governors' Forum, equips him to secure developmental projects.
As part of his governance accountability model, he announced intentions to establish two independent bodies: the Benue South Peoples Assembly to collate grassroots needs and track project execution, and the Benue South People’s Council, bringing together traditional rulers, professionals, women, and youth associations.
Reactions from party leaders
During the event, the Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council, John Ngbede, commended the massive turnout and endorsed Olofu's competence. The ADC State Chairman, Chief Samson Okwu, similarly lauded supporters, expressing optimism that the party will unseat political rivals in the forthcoming polls.
Meanwhile, the party's governorship flag-bearer in the state, Hon. Heman Hembe, criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress and the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia for allegedly failing to translate federal allocations into tangible infrastructure, urging the electorate to embrace the ADC.