A governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Dr Jeffrey Kuraun, has expressed optimism that his blueprint can transform the state if elected.
Kuraun, whose manifesto titled “Vision Direction” places unemployment, insecurity and social exclusion at the centre of his political message, lamented that for years, Benue politics has largely revolved around ethnic balancing, party structures, power blocs and elite negotiations.
“However, worsening insecurity, farmer displacement, youth unemployment and economic decline have increasingly shifted public attention toward competence, economic recovery and social protection.
“It is within this atmosphere that Kuraun I am building his political relevance.
“My manifesto projects a leadership model focused on inclusion, economic empowerment and rehabilitation of vulnerable communities, particularly internally displaced persons, women and unemployed youths”.
According to him, the strategy appears carefully designed to speak directly to the frustrations of ordinary citizens who have endured repeated attacks, displacement and declining economic opportunities across rural communities.
“Benue remains one of the states most affected by insecurity linked to armed attacks, communal conflicts and displacement crises.
“Thousands of farming families have been forced out of their ancestral homes over the years, creating serious humanitarian and economic consequences for communities whose survival depends heavily on agriculture.
“The impact has been devastating not only on food production but also on household incomes, school attendance and local commerce.
“Against this backdrop, my emphasis on rehabilitation, resettlement and economic reintegration for displaced persons carries strong political significance.
“Rather than limiting my campaign to infrastructure promises, I have framed governance around human security and economic survival.
“My proposals on vocational training, entrepreneurship support and youth enterprise development are also politically strategic.
“In Benue, a growing number of young people are becoming increasingly disillusioned with politics due to unemployment and perceived exclusion from economic opportunities.
“The state’s large youth population could become a decisive electoral force if mobilised effectively around issues that directly affect livelihoods and social mobility.
“By presenting youth empowerment as both an economic and security strategy, I’m trying to connect unemployment to the broader crisis of instability confronting the state.
“The argument is politically important because insecurity in many communities is no longer viewed only as a law enforcement problem but also as a reflection of deep economic desperation and governance failures.
“My focus on women’s empowerment and girl child education also broadens the social appeal of the manifesto.
Women across Benue have borne enormous burdens from displacement, poverty and loss of livelihoods, particularly in rural farming communities affected by violence”
