2027: Nongov stakeholders endorse Eunice Ortom for Benue North-West Senate, back PDP Candidates

Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

Political stakeholders and leaders from the Nongov extraction in Agasha State Constituency of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State have unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Dr. Eunice Ortom for the Benue North-West Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made on Sunday during a meeting between former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, and his kinsmen, political associates and critical stakeholders from the Agasha State Constituency at his residence in Makurdi.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the former governor to interact with members of his immediate constituency and brief them on political developments in the state, as well as the current state of affairs within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level.

Addressing the gathering, Ortom explained that it had been his tradition to routinely meet with and brief his people on political and other developments, but that several engagements had delayed the meeting.

The former governor expressed appreciation to the people of Nongov and Benue State for the cooperation and support they gave his administration during his tenure, which ended more than three years ago.

He said that despite leaving office, he remained committed to serving the people and contributing to the development of the state.

Ortom also promised to continue engaging various constituencies, particularly those in Guma Local Government Area and other parts of the state, to provide what he described as the true picture of political developments and counter what he called “deceit and propaganda” allegedly being propagated by the present administration against his government.

The former governor specifically dismissed allegations that his administration borrowed more than ₦139 billion while in office, describing the claim as false and urging the people to disregard it.

On the lingering security challenges confronting Benue State, Ortom maintained that his position on the issue remained unchanged, insisting that the Anti-Open Grazing Law and the Ranching Establishment Law remained the most viable solutions to what he described as the invasion of the Benue Valley by Fulani jihadists.

He further stated that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, shares the same position on the security challenge and, if elected governor of the state, would ensure the full implementation of the laws.

Ortom therefore called on the people to remain focused and committed to the success of the PDP in the state.

He urged the people of Nongov to support the candidacy of Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as well as other PDP candidates contesting national and state legislative positions, stressing that strategic political partnerships would be critical to the party’s efforts to reclaim power in 2027.

Earlier, the PDP Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Anyamkande, welcomed party members and stakeholders to the meeting and called for their continued and tireless support for the former governor.

Anyamkande particularly urged the people to rally behind Dr. Eunice Ortom, whom he described as their wife and mother, in her bid to represent the Benue North-West Senatorial District.

Also speaking, the leader of the PDP in the Nongov extraction and President of the PDP MINDA Elders Forum, Hon. Charles Torbunde, expressed appreciation to the people of Nongov for their continued solidarity and support.

Torbunde declared that the people of Nongov had unanimously adopted Dr. Eunice Ortom as their sole candidate for the Benue North-West Senatorial District and would not allow distractions from within the community to derail the decision.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nongov people to supporting their son, Chief Samuel Ortom, and working with other PDP stakeholders towards the party’s success in the 2027 elections.

The member representing Agasha State Constituency, Hon. Williams Ortyom, also declared that his support for the former governor remained unshakable.

Ortyom pledged to work for the success of the PDP and support all the party’s candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the PDP candidate for Agasha State Constituency, Hon. Rodney Mtagher, and the PDP candidate for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Dr. Emmanuel Shior, expressed appreciation to the Nongov people for the confidence reposed in them.

Both candidates promised to justify the confidence of the people and not disappoint them if elected into office.

Other stakeholders, including Hon. Bala Tungwa of Abinsi, Hon. Timothy Iorsheregh of Kaambe, Hon. Uver Benjamin of Saghev and Evangelist John Ikyor of Njorov, reaffirmed their loyalty to the former governor and pledged to mobilise support for the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A former senatorial aspirant for the Benue North-West Senatorial District, Hon. Frank Usa Adi, also endorsed the decision to adopt Dr. Eunice Ortom as the constituency’s preferred candidate.

Adi said the decision was in the best interest of both the PDP and the people of the constituency, assuring the gathering of his commitment to the realisation of the objective.

Speaking on behalf of the women and youths, Mrs. Grace Unande and Hon. Mbatsavsue Samuel respectively, pledged their support for Chief Samuel Ortom, Dr. Eunice Ortom and the PDP.

The meeting ended with the unanimous endorsement of Dr. Eunice Ortom’s candidacy for the Benue North-West Senatorial District and renewed pledges by political leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders across the Nongov extraction to mobilise support for the PDP and its candidates in the 2027 general elections.