The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State has inaugurated a special committee tasked with recommending a suitable running mate for the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party had earlier elected former House of Representatives member, Herman Hembe, who previously represented the Konshisha/Vandeikya Federal Constituency, as its governorship flagbearer during the party’s primary election.
Acting on a request submitted by Hembe, the party leadership on Monday constituted a committee to oversee the process of identifying and recommending a deputy governorship candidate capable of strengthening the party’s chances in the upcoming election.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the state secretary of the party, Peter Chirzenden, who represented the state chairman during the ceremony.
Addressing members of the committee, Chirzenden outlined key qualities expected of any individual being considered for the position, stressing that the selection process must prioritize competence, integrity, loyalty to democratic principles, and commitment to the party’s vision and ideology.
He explained that the party deliberately selected respected individuals with proven records of service and leadership to undertake the responsibility of recommending a credible candidate.
“It is in view of this that we have sought, we have sat and carefully selected men and women of proven integrity, men of timber and calibre, who will come together and look into how we are going to select a running mate for the candidate of our great party in the 2027 governorship election, in the person of Rt. Hon. Hembe.
“Therefore, we charge you that as you go about sitting and deliberating sincerely on bringing a running mate to our governorship candidate, not just someone who will be a running mate, but somebody who is democratic in nature and who will also contribute his own quota to the progress and development of our party.
“Also carefully look into issues that will bring about somebody who has integrity, somebody who has democracy at heart, somebody who will also build the party, not just somebody who will serve as a candidate but somebody who will give us the desired popularity going into the 2027 general elections.”
The committee comprises prominent party members and stakeholders, including Senator Orke Jev, Engr. Okpe Onah, Air Vice Marshal Steve Onuh, Mrs. Rose Ameh, Barrister Ogah Okwu, Professor David Salifu, Hon. Jack Mulya, Mrs. Abeje Egwa, and Hon. Alex Igwe.
Members of the panel have been given a deadline of June 20 to complete their assignment and submit their recommendations to the party leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Chairman Engr. Okpe Onah assured party leaders that members would carry out their responsibilities diligently and objectively.
He pledged that the committee would focus on identifying a candidate capable of complementing the governorship candidate, strengthening party unity, and improving the ADC’s electoral prospects in Benue State.
According to him, the committee is committed to ensuring that the eventual choice possesses the qualities needed to contribute meaningfully to governance while also helping the party build wider support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The inauguration of the committee marks another step in the ADC’s preparations for the next election cycle as the party seeks to position itself as a major contender in Benue State politics.
