A governorship aspirant in Benue State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jeff Kuraun has said his ambition to lead the state is driven by a determination to confront insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment through practical and well-structured policies.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Kuraun, who hails from Mbaduku in Vandeikya Local Government Area of the State said he was motivated to join the 2027 race after observing what he described as persistent governance gaps in the state over the past three years.
“I am highly inspired to contest because I have seen the challenges our state is going through.
“I believe I can add value and bring practical solutions that will alleviate poverty and other challenges in the land,” he said.
He expressed confidence that he is better prepared to govern, arguing that effective leadership requires not just identifying problems but understanding how to solve them with clear and actionable strategies.
On insecurity, Kuraun described the situation in Benue as particularly severe, noting that daily loss of lives has become a troubling reality affecting all residents regardless of political, ethnic, or religious affiliation.
“Insecurity is worse in Benue. People are dying almost every day, and what we need are pragmatic, focused, and intelligence driven solutions rather than mere rhetoric,” he stated.
He proposed the establishment of a functional, community-based security framework that would provide real time intelligence to the police, military, civil defence and other relevant agencies, stressing that such structures must go beyond paper declarations.
Turning to agriculture, the aspirant who hails from the same local council area as Governor Hyacinth Alia noted that although over 70 per cent of Benue residents are farmers, the state has yet to fully harness its potential due to what he described as a fragmented approach to the sector.
According to him, the solution lies in adopting a holistic value chain model that integrates production, processing, transportation and market access, thereby reducing waste and improving productivity.
He also advocated the development of agricultural hubs across local governments based on their comparative advantages, alongside the creation of free trade zones to attract investors and boost commerce.
Kuraun maintained that with proper planning and execution, Benue has the capacity to feed not only Nigeria but the entire Sub-Saharan Africa, given its vast agricultural resources.
On governance, he stressed the importance of preparation and planning, noting that his development agenda, captured under the acronym “EASY-WIG,” focuses on Economy, Agriculture, Security, Youth engagement, Women empowerment, Infrastructure and Institutions and Girl-child education.
Addressing internal challenges within the APC, he acknowledged ongoing divisions but expressed optimism over reconciliation efforts, while advocating direct primaries as the most credible and democratic means of selecting candidates.
He concluded by emphasising that his administration would prioritise value-driven policies and innovative financing strategies, including asset monetisation, insisting that governance must deliver measurable impact, as “any policy that does not add value is a waste of time.”
