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 governorship election, completing the party's governorship ticket ahead of the polls.
The unveiling ceremony, held at Nam Hall & Resort, Makurdi, attracted members of the party's National Working Committee, state executives, stakeholders, traditional leaders, supporters, and other dignitaries.
Unveiling the deputy governorship candidate, the Benue State Chairman of the ADC, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, described Abba as an accomplished legal practitioner, administrator, and grassroots politician whose nomination 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 leadership of the party 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 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 a keynote address, Prof. Cletus Torkyaa criticized the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, alleging that it had failed to address critical challenges confronting the state, particularly the worsening insecurity.
He lamented the continued killings across Benue communities, saying many innocent citizens had been brutally murdered 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 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 Benue people 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 team would present a formidable challenge in the race for the Benue Government House.
