2027: Benue PDP leaders, stakeholders rally behind Eunice Ortom, insist Zone B Senate ticket decision is final

By James Ike

Leaders, elders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue North West Senatorial District (Zone B) have reaffirmed their support for former Benue First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom, as the party's consensus choice for the 2027 senatorial election, dismissing what they described as a coordinated smear campaign against her emergence.

In a statement jointly signed by prominent PDP leaders across the district, including former Senator Fred Orti, Dr. Laha Dzever, Hon. Charles Torbunde, Dr. Adzer Abya and other stakeholders, the group said the decision to endorse Dr. Ortom followed extensive consultations and was rooted in principles of equity, fairness and political balancing.

The stakeholders said recent social media narratives questioning her emergence were misleading and intended to distort the facts surrounding the party's internal consultations.

According to the statement, PDP leaders from across Zone B met in Makurdi in May 2026 and unanimously resolved that the 2027 Senate seat should be ceded to the Nongov axis of Guma Local Government Area.

They explained that the resolution emerged from broad consensus among party stakeholders and was not influenced by any individual's ambition or family interest.

"The decision was not influenced by any individual ambition, family interest or imposition as falsely portrayed by detractors. It was a collective and voluntary decision of the people and leadership of the PDP in Zone B," the statement said.

The stakeholders disclosed that as part of the arrangement, former Governor Samuel Ortom was initially offered the right of first refusal for the party's senatorial ticket, considering his role as a leading political figure in the district and his participation in the 2023 senatorial election.

However, they said Ortom declined repeated appeals to contest the seat again, opting instead to continue supporting the party in a broader leadership capacity.

The group stated that following his decision, elders, women leaders, youth groups and party loyalists across the district appealed to him to allow his wife, Dr. Eunice Ortom, to answer what they described as an overwhelming call to serve.

"That appeal was neither accidental nor manipulated. It was based on the proven capacity, competence, compassion and impeccable public record of Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom, whose years of selfless humanitarian service have earned her immense goodwill and widespread acceptance among the people of Benue State and beyond," the stakeholders stated.

They highlighted Dr. Ortom's contributions during her tenure as First Lady of Benue State, citing her work through the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, which they said provided humanitarian interventions, educational support, healthcare advocacy, women empowerment and social protection programmes across the state.

According to the stakeholders, Dr. Ortom distinguished herself through support for women, children, widows, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups without regard to political affiliation, ethnicity or religion.

The PDP leaders also rejected arguments that her marital relationship with the former governor should disqualify her from seeking elective office.

"It is intellectually dishonest for anyone to suggest that Dr. Mrs. Ortom should be denied the opportunity to contest simply because she is married to Chief Samuel Ortom. Such arguments are not only illogical and discriminatory, but they also amount to a direct attack on the rights, individuality, capacity and independent identity of women in leadership," they said.

Describing Dr. Ortom as a distinguished personality in her own right, the stakeholders maintained that she possesses the credentials, experience and public goodwill required to represent the district in the Senate.

They further alleged that critics were attempting to undermine her growing popularity by linking her candidacy to negative assessments of her husband's administration.

The statement defended the administration of former Governor Samuel Ortom, describing it as transparent and people-oriented.

The stakeholders pointed to policies such as the inclusion of labour unions in the State Joint Account Allocation Committee, pension reforms, payment of salaries and pensions, infrastructure projects, investments in healthcare and education, and the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.

"The people of Zone B are politically conscious and cannot be deceived by sponsored falsehoods and propaganda," the statement added.

The stakeholders also argued that no constitutional provision or democratic principle prevents a qualified individual from contesting elective office because of marital ties, warning that such arguments undermine efforts to promote women's participation in politics and governance.

Reaffirming their position, the PDP leaders said they remained committed to the decision reached on May 16, 2026, endorsing Dr. Eunice Ortom as the party's unanimous choice for the 2027 Benue North West Senatorial election.

"We stand firmly by the collective decision reached on 16th May, 2026 and reaffirm our total confidence in Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom as the unanimous choice of the party for the 2027 Benue North West Senatorial election," they stated.

The stakeholders urged party members and the public to disregard what they described as malicious propaganda against both Dr. Eunice Ortom and former Governor Samuel Ortom.

They insisted that the decision was reached through broad-based consultations and consensus among party leaders and could not be altered by what they termed blackmail, misinformation or sponsored attacks.

The statement concluded with a call for political actors to focus on presenting alternative candidates and ideas to the electorate rather than engaging in personal attacks, stressing that democracy thrives on healthy competition and the free choice of the people.