The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State, Herman Hembe, on Thursday pledged to serve only one four-year term if elected governor in 2027, saying the promise was aimed at protecting equity and ensuring that Benue South finally gets its turn to produce the state’s governor in 2031.

Hembe made the declaration in Makurdi during the official unveiling of his running mate, John Abba, before a large gathering of party supporters and stakeholders.

The event attracted top party leaders including the Benue ADC Chairman, Sam Okwu; Sen. Orker Jev, the party’s Benue South senatorial candidate; Dr David Olofu; national and state assembly candidates; former commissioners; and former lawmakers.

He explained that after emerging as the party’s governorship candidate, he deliberately handed the responsibility of choosing his running mate to the party leadership and stakeholders, a process coordinated by the party’s national leadership.

Hembe said although several aspirants were eminently qualified, the transparent consultation process eventually produced John Abba and urged party members to accept the decision in good faith and work together for the victory of every ADC candidate.

He said his decision to seek only one term was informed by the need to protect the spirit of fairness and power rotation in Benue.

According to him, Benue South remains the only senatorial district yet to produce a democratically elected governor since the creation of the state, warning that electing candidates from other zones in 2027 could push the district’s aspiration back by another eight years.

Hembe said the ADC was not contesting only the governorship election but every elective position, stressing that a governor would require the support of senators, House of Representatives members and State Assembly lawmakers to succeed.

Hembe expressed confidence that the party had credible candidates capable of defeating opponents without entering political alliances. He also predicted victory for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying Nigerians would rally behind him across the country.

He promised to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to the 23 local governments immediately after assuming office, arguing that councils must be free to manage their resources, strengthen grassroots security and execute projects that directly benefit their people.

Speaking at the unveiling, the ADC Benue South senatorial candidate, Dr David Olofu, expressed confidence in the quality and capacity of the party’s candidates to win the confidence of Benue people.

Deputy National Chairman, South, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Ben Nwoye has declared that the 2027 general election will be decided by facts and not noise making.

He said although the APC was not wishing the opposition away, election was not about noise making.

The party chieftain challenged APC members to campaign with facts on ground, which he said were enough to draw votes for the ruling party. 

Nwoye spoke on Wednesday during the Enugu Youth Summit attended by youths from different parts of the state. 

He said, “APC has recorded real development strides both at the federal and state levels.

“We should engage the youths on social media with facts. Campaign for presidential election will start on the 19th of this month, after which that of the governorship will start.

“I urge APC members to arm themselves with information on what our government has done across all levels.

“Others will be telling the people what they plan to do, but the APC government will be showing the people what they have done.”

“Lawyers will say, the fact speaks for itself; APC has magical achievements both in Enugu and at the federal level.

“At the national level, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, students who cannot go to school owing to lack of finance, now they can go to school, you can borrow money one hundred percent and go to school. I’m saying this so we don’t leave here without facts,” Nwoye declared. 

Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, who spoke earlier on the topic: ‘Take a Stand Today and Lead Tomorrow’, stressed on the need for the youths to eschew corrupt practices when given leadership opportunities. 

Onyia said youths holding leadership positions needed mentors who would offer them genuine advice.

In a remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Mobilization, Peter Chime said both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah had demonstrated willingness to work with the youths. 

“President Tinubu has shown obvious desire to work with the youths, making it a norm to allow youth to be part of the national executive council,” he noted. 

Also speaking, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the APC, Hon. Jamaluddeen Kabir said quality leadership being provided by the APC government both at the federal and the state level would guarantee maximum votes for the party in 2027.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday officially unveiled Abba John Abba as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue governorship election, completing the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the polls.

The unveiling ceremony, held at Nam Hall & Resort, Makurdi, attracted members of the party’s National Working Committee, state executives, stakeholders, traditional leaders, supporters and other dignitaries.

Unveiling the deputy governorship candidate, the Benue State Chairman of the ADC, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, described Abba as an accomplished legal practitioner, administrator and grassroots politician whose nomination followed extensive consultations and a transparent selection process.

Okwu expressed confidence that the governorship ticket of Herman Iorwase Hembe and Abba John Abba possessed the competence, integrity and vision required to provide purposeful leadership and restore hope to the people of Benue State.

In his acceptance speech, Abba thanked the leadership of the party for the confidence reposed in him, describing his nomination as “a call to greater service.”

He pledged unwavering loyalty to the party and the governorship candidate, promising to work towards the faithful implementation of the ADC manifesto, with priority attention to security, healthcare, education, agriculture, youth empowerment and transparent governance.

“I call on every son and daughter of Benue State to join us in this noble mission of rebuilding our state. Together, we can secure our future and usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and shared progress,” Abba said.

The unveiling officially completes the ADC’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election, with party leaders expressing optimism that the Hembe-Abba team would present a formidable challenge in the race for the Benue Government House.