Benue North West: PDP Zone B stakeholders defend Mrs.

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Leaders, elders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Benue North West Senatorial District, Zone B, have thrown their weight behind the emergence of Mrs. Eunice Ortom as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

The stakeholders, in a statement jointly signed by 16 prominent party figures across the zone, including Sen. Fred Orti, Dr. Laha Dzever, and Charles Tyobunde, said her nomination was the outcome of a broad based consensus rather than political imposition.

The group condemned what they described as a deliberate smear campaign being waged on social media against Mrs Ortom, saying the attacks were aimed at distorting facts and undermining a democratic decision reached by party leaders and members.

According to the statement, PDP leaders from across the local government areas of Benue North West met in Makurdi in May 2026 and unanimously agreed that the 2027 Senate seat should be zoned to the Nongov axis of Guma Local Government Area.

They explained that the decision emerged after extensive consultations among stakeholders and reflected the collective will of party leaders in the district, emphasising that no individual or family influenced the outcome, contrary to claims being circulated by political opponents.

Following the zoning arrangement, the stakeholders said the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, was offered the first opportunity to contest for the Senate seat because of his political standing, but he declined repeated appeals to enter the race.

They said with Chief Ortom opting out, party elders, youth groups, women leaders and other stakeholders appealed to him to permit his wife, Dr Eunice Ortom, to respond to what they described as a widespread call for service from the people of the district.

The stakeholders stated that the appeal was driven by Dr Ortom’s record of humanitarian service and community engagement over the years.

They noted that her contributions through the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation had impacted thousands of lives across Benue State through programmes focused on healthcare, education, women empowerment and support for vulnerable groups.

They recalled that during her eight years as First Lady of Benue State, Mrs Ortom championed initiatives that improved the welfare of women, children, internally displaced persons, widows and other disadvantaged members of society.

They insisted that such campaigns would not alter the decision already reached by stakeholders and party members, reaffirming their support, and committed to the consensus reached on May 16, 2026, endorsing her as the party’s candidate for the 2027 Benue North West Senatorial election.