The Labour Party (LP) has officially selected Hon. Juliana Obetta, a former chairperson of Okpokwu Local Government Council, as its running mate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election.
Obetta was introduced to party faithful and supporters on Monday in Makurdi by the LP governorship flagbearer, Dr. Matthias Byuan, at a ceremony that drew a large crowd.
Her nomination makes history as she becomes the first woman in Benue State to be chosen as a deputy governorship candidate by any political party.
Byuan, who previously served as Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), emerged as the Labour Party’s consensus governorship candidate last Saturday after a statewide affirmation exercise where he garnered 231,124 votes from delegates across all 23 local government areas of the state.
During the unveiling, Byuan stated that Obetta’s selection reflects the party’s commitment to gender equality and expanding women’s involvement in governance.
“This is the first instance a woman has been picked as a deputy governorship candidate in Benue State. Our party believes that women must have a meaningful role in government,” he remarked.
The governorship candidate voiced optimism that the Labour Party would triumph in the 2027 election and laid out a vision for transforming the state through industrialization, tuition-free education, enhanced security, and comprehensive reforms across key sectors.
“Once we assume leadership of Benue State in 2027, we will generate employment by shifting the economy from a civil service base to an industrial hub. We will implement free education at every level, address insecurity decisively, and overhaul all sectors to ensure Benue takes its rightful place among Nigeria’s leading states,” he explained.
Byuan noted that Obetta’s nomination followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders throughout the state, adding that she was the most qualified candidate for the role.
Earlier, Hon. Philip Agbese, the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency and Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, praised the party’s primaries as peaceful and transparent.
“Our primaries were conducted without conflict, making them the finest among all political parties in the state. The Labour Party is prepared to assume leadership in Benue, and we urge the people to support us,” Agbese said.
In her acceptance address, Obetta dedicated her nomination to the women of Benue State, calling it a significant milestone for gender inclusion in governance.
“I wholeheartedly accept this nomination, and I want to tell the women of Benue that this is for you,” she declared.
She decried the underrepresentation of women in governance despite their substantial voting power.
“Women make up over 80 percent of the voting population in the state, yet after elections they are often pushed aside. This is the first time a political party in Benue has given women such recognition. I will be a voice for women and ensure their issues are addressed,” she affirmed.
Obetta, who made history as the first female chairperson of Okpokwu Local Government from 2012 to 2014, vowed to collaborate closely with Mrs. Matthias Byuan to advance women’s interests and foster greater inclusion in government.
“We will work together to ensure women have a stronger voice in governance and that the 35 percent affirmative action women have long demanded becomes a reality,” she added.
Also speaking, the Labour Party’s Benue South senatorial candidate, Hon. Samuel Onuh, and the state party chairman, Mr. William Okefe Ochonu, commended the national leadership of the party, particularly National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman, for facilitating the successful primaries and candidate selection process.
They expressed confidence that the Byuan-Obetta ticket positions the Labour Party as a formidable contender in the 2027 governorship race and affirmed that Obetta’s nomination enjoyed broad support during statewide consultations.