The member representing Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has been affirmed as the consensus candidate of the Labour Party for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Agbese was affirmed on Saturday by members of the Labour Party drawn from the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency during a stakeholders’ gathering attended by thousands of party faithful.

The affirmation comes months after Agbese defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Labour Party amid the lingering internal crisis rocking the Benue State chapter of the ruling party.

The exercise was monitored by party officials and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to the Returning Officer, members from across the constituency participated in the affirmation process, with results showing that Agbese secured 17,789 votes in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, 17,767 votes in Okpokwu Local Government Area, and 17,750 votes in Ado Local Government Area.

The exercise attracted more than 53,306 votes party members and supporters from the three councils.

Party leaders described the emergence of both candidates as a demonstration of unity and determination to strengthen the Labour Party’s presence in Benue South.

Speaking shortly after his affirmation, Agbese thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to continue providing effective representation to the people of Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Federal Constituency.

He assured party supporters that he would remain committed to delivering democratic dividends and advancing the interests of the constituency at the National Assembly.

“I am deeply humbled by this overwhelming show of confidence by members of the Labour Party across Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu.

 This affirmation is not for Philip Agbese alone; it is a mandate to continue serving our people with dedication, integrity and results.”

“The journey to 2027 has begun, and together we will build a stronger, more united and more prosperous Enone Federal Constituency. 

“Politics should be about service and not personal ambition. I remain committed to attracting more development projects, creating opportunities for our youths and ensuring that the voice of our people remains strong in the National Assembly.”

Several party stakeholders who spoke at the event expressed confidence in Agbese’s leadership and performance, noting that his legislative interventions and constituency projects had endeared him to the people.

They described his affirmation as a reflection of the widespread support he enjoys across the federal constituency and expressed optimism that the Labour Party would record significant victories in the 2027 elections.

Earlier, a former Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Prince Onuh, emerged as the Labour Party’s consensus candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has mocked activist politician, Aisha Yesufu over her inability to emerge the FCT senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

Wike said Yesufu, known for speaking what he termed “grammar” could not win “ordinary” NDC’s primary election in the FCT.

Wike made the comments at a luncheon for candidates of the Rainbow coalition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday.

According to Wike: “There’s one woman who said Wike is an appointee of government and that she has no business with appointees. You speak grammar, speak grammar.

“Ordinary primary of NDC, not APC or PDP,  just ordinary NDC, what happened? She didn’t make it.

“It’s easy for people to talk. When they enter into those media houses, they begin to churn out data from nowhere.

“Now, the time for data has come. What happened? ‘Fa fa fa foul. It didn’t work. If e didn’t dey? E didn’t dey.”

Mr Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, has vowed to create an inclusive government in partnership with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Obi said in his government, the Vice President would never be considered as a “spare tyre” because Kwankwaso would be actively involved.

On Saturday at the NDC national convention in Abuja, Obi named Kwankwaso as his running mate.

Obi and Kwankwaso took part in the last presidential election but ended up in third and fourth place, respectively.

They were behind former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, who was announced as the winner.

Kwankwaso ran for election with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and only won in Kano, a state where he still has a strong political presence.

Obi said: “The government we plan to create will not be one where anyone can claim that the vice president is just a spare part.

“The vice president will be a partner because we aim to create a country where two equal individuals work together for the country’s success.

“Decisions will be taken as partners. Everybody will be consulted. That’s what we need, and that’s how the government works.

“With this in mind, I happily accept the support as the candidate for this wonderful party.

“I would like to invite Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to be my vice-presidential candidate.”

Obi noted that Kwankwaso believes in the same values, especially the idea of a fair society where anyone, no matter their background, has the chance to succeed.

“He believes in education and security. We will join forces to make sure it happens,” he said.