The immediate past Governor of Benue State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, has assured new entrants into the party of equal treatment and inclusiveness, declaring that their political backgrounds would not be a barrier to their participation in the party.
Ortom gave the assurance during the official commissioning of the senatorial campaign office of Dr. Mrs. Eunice Erdoo Ortom, PDP candidate for Benue North-West Senatorial District, Zone B, in Makurdi, yesterday, 10th October, 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former governor welcomed the decampees and urged party members to embrace peaceful, issue-based politics, shun violence and work collectively towards strengthening the PDP. He stressed that the party must remain open to all members while promoting unity, fairness and mutual respect.
Ortom also charged PDP supporters to protect their votes during the 2027 elections, urging them to remain vigilant at polling units and ensure that the choices of the electorate are reflected in the final results. He emphasised that safeguarding the people’s mandate required discipline, preparation and collective responsibility.
He expressed confidence in Dr. Eunice Ortom’s senatorial ambition and called on party stakeholders across Zone B to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and work together towards the 2027 elections. He described the commissioning of the campaign office as an important step in coordinating the campaign’s activities across the district.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Eunice Ortom thanked the party leadership, stakeholders and supporters for their confidence in her candidacy. She called for unity, peaceful political engagement and sustained grassroots mobilisation, emphasising the need for a people-centred approach to representation.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Eunice Ortom Campaign Directorate, Hon. Ortese Gbegi, described the campaign office as a coordination centre for political engagement and grassroots mobilisation. He urged campaign officials and supporters to remain committed, disciplined and united in advancing the campaign.
The Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Azua Ashongu, who represented the State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji, conveyed the state leadership’s goodwill and called on party members to uphold unity, cooperation and the party’s principles in pursuit of its political objectives.
Similarly, the State Organising Secretary, Hon. Caleb Abah, representing the Zone B Zonal Chairman, Hon. Tyona Gbenyi, urged party stakeholders to strengthen coordination among ward and local government structures to sustain mobilisation ahead of the elections.
The Assistant State Youth Leader, Hon. Terver Jirgba, speaking for the youth wing, called on young people to participate actively in peaceful political activities, mobilise eligible voters and contribute to the party’s grassroots engagement.
The PDP Zonal Woman Leader for Zone B, Hon. Mrs. Dorcas Zamber, urged women to remain united and actively participate in voter mobilisation. The North Central Zonal Woman Leader, Hon. Mrs. Igyaruwa Owakoyi, separately called for stronger cooperation among women leaders and increased participation of women in the political process.
Senator Fred Orti and Rt. Hon. Avine Agbom, speaking on behalf of elders in Zone B, called for unity, experience-driven leadership and collective responsibility. They urged party members to put aside personal differences and work together towards shared political objectives.
Dr. Emmanuel Shior, speaking on behalf of PDP candidates for the House of Representatives in Zone B, stressed the importance of coordination among candidates and party stakeholders. He urged them to sustain grassroots engagement and promote peaceful mobilisation across their constituencies.
Hon. Igbe Dickson, representing PDP candidates for the Benue State House of Assembly, called for cooperation among candidates at all levels, urging party members to remain committed to the party’s collective objectives and maintain effective engagement with voters.
Hon. Simon Anyamkande, speaking on behalf of PDP local government chairmen in Zone B, reaffirmed the commitment of the party’s local government structures to grassroots mobilisation. He emphasised the importance of coordination among local government and ward officials in reaching voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
BY ZEGE PAUL
