By Nelson Ogbu
MAKURDI, BENUE STATE, Aug. 6, 2026 – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday officially unveiled Hon. Abba John Abba, Esq., as its Deputy Governorship Candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election, completing the party’s ticket ahead of the polls.
The unveiling ceremony, held at Nam Hall & Resort, Makurdi, drew members of the party’s National Working Committee, state executives, stakeholders, traditional rulers, supporters, and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, the Benue State Chairman of the ADC, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, described Abba as an accomplished legal practitioner, administrator, and grassroots politician whose emergence followed extensive consultations and a transparent selection process.
Okwu expressed confidence that the governorship ticket of Rt. Hon. Herman Iorwase Hembe and Hon. Abba John Abba possesses 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 party leadership 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 tirelessly for 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.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Cletus Torkyaa criticized the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, alleging that it had failed to adequately address the critical challenges confronting the state, particularly the worsening insecurity.
He lamented the continued killings in communities across Benue, stating that many innocent citizens had lost their lives while government responses had remained inadequate. Torkyaa urged the people to embrace the ADC as a credible alternative capable of restoring security, good governance, and sustainable development.
The ADC governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Herman Iorwase Hembe, congratulated Hon. Abba John Abba on his emergence as the party’s deputy governorship candidate and expressed confidence that their partnership would strengthen the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
He assured party supporters that the ADC was prepared to offer the people of Benue a government anchored on accountability, inclusiveness, security, and sustainable development.
The unveiling officially completes the ADC’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election, with party leaders expressing optimism that the Hembe-Abba ticket will present a formidable challenge in the race for the Benue Government House.
