Benue 2027: NDC Unveils Prof. Terhemba Shija as Governorship Candidate

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally unveiled Prof. Terhemba Shija as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Benue State, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding the party's ticket.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Benue State Publicity Secretary of the party, Agile Bem, on behalf of the State Chairman, Mr. Ohini Ojegbe.

According to the statement, Prof. Shija, accompanied by the Benue State Chairman, Mr. Ojegbe, the party's State Leader, Prof. Isaac Onyike, and other stakeholders, visited the NDC National Secretariat where he obtained his nomination form, completing the party's governorship nomination process for Benue State.

Reacting to the development, Ojegbe expressed satisfaction that the process had finally been concluded after weeks of uncertainty. He urged other aspirants to embrace unity and support the party's candidate in preparation for the 2027 governorship election.

"We are happy that the process has finally been concluded. I urge all other aspirants to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship by rallying round our candidate and working together to ensure the NDC's victory in the 2027 governorship election," he said.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Shija expressed appreciation to the party's State Working Committee, National Working Committee, stakeholders and members for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to justify the trust by providing purposeful leadership if elected governor.

"I thank the State Working Committee, the National Working Committee, stakeholders and members of the Benue NDC family for this confidence. I will not disappoint the party and its supporters but will work diligently towards providing purposeful leadership for Benue State," Shija stated.

He also appealed to other aspirants to regard his emergence as a collective victory for the party and join hands with him to strengthen the NDC ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party further disclosed that Prof. Shija's name has been successfully uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal as the NDC governorship candidate for Benue State, marking the completion of the party's nomination process.