A retired naval officer, Commander Henry Ojowu (rtd), has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Benue State.

Ojowu has also unveiled plans, which he said would reposition the state and uplift the social economic development of the state.

Ojowu made the declaration at the weekend during a press conference in Makurdi.

He said the decision was borne out of his desire to deploy his military and intelligence experience towards tackling the prevailing insecurity and drive development agenda across the state.

"My motivation for aspiring to be governor in 2027 is to transform Benue into the most attractive state in the federation in terms of socio-economic development," he said.

The 63-year-old retired intelligence officer from Benue South Senatorial District - a zone that has yet to produce a governor since the state's creation - stressed that his ambition was not rooted in zoning considerations but anchored on competence and capacity.

"My aspiration is not about where I come from. It is about what I can offer. Benue needs tested leadership, strategic thinking and the courage to make tough decisions," he added.

Ojowu noted that central to his blueprint remains a proposed community-based security architecture he named the Grassroots Defence Brigade (GRDB), which he said would complement existing security agencies and curb persistent attacks across rural communities.