Benue 2027: Labour Party Presents Byuan-Obetta Ticket, Promises Inclusive Governance

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Labour Party (LP) in Benue State has unveiled former Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Juliana Obetta, as the deputy governorship candidate and running mate to Mathias Byuan for the 2027 governorship election.

Obetta was formally presented on Monday at the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi by the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Peter Agbese.
Byuan, a former director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), emerged as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate through affirmation during the party’s primary election held on Saturday.
Speaking shortly after the presentation, Byuan expressed confidence in the Labour Party’s prospects in the 2027 election, saying the people of Benue State had already indicated their desire for a change in leadership.
He appealed to residents to support the Labour Party at the polls and pledged to transform Benue from what he described as a largely civil service-dependent economy into an industrialized and economically viable state.
The governorship candidate also criticized the current administration, maintaining that despite substantial federal allocations and interventions to the state under the administration of Bola Tinubu, the benefits have not significantly improved the lives of ordinary citizens.
According to him, his administration would focus on grassroots development and local economic growth by investing resources within the state to create employment opportunities for young people.
Byuan further promised to expand access to education, stating that his government would work towards ensuring that about 60 percent of schools in the state provide free education. He said the initiative would reduce the financial burden on parents who often have to sell goats and yams to pay school fees.
He explained that the choice of Obetta as his running mate followed extensive consultations within the party and was intended to promote inclusion while giving women a stronger voice in governance.
“We have chosen a woman who understands grassroots politics and the challenges facing ordinary people. This is part of our commitment to ensuring that women are adequately represented in government,” he said.
In her acceptance speech, Obetta described her nomination as a victory for women across Benue State and pledged to use the opportunity to advocate for increased female participation in politics and governance.
The former council chairman, who became the first woman elected chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area between 2012 and 2014, noted that women constitute a significant voting bloc and deserve greater recognition in leadership positions.
She expressed concern that women actively participate in elections but are often sidelined after governments are formed, describing her emergence as a major step toward addressing the imbalance.
“This nomination is for the women of Benue State. Women constitute a substantial percentage of the voting population, yet they are often excluded from key decision-making positions after elections,” she said.
Obetta also pledged to collaborate closely with the wife of the governorship candidate and other stakeholders to advance policies that promote women’s interests and support the realization of the 35 percent affirmative action target for women in governance.
Also speaking, the Benue State Chairman of the Labour Party, William Okefe, commended the party’s national leadership under Nenadi Usman for supporting the emergence of the party’s candidates.
Okefe expressed optimism that the Byuan-Obetta ticket would provide the leadership needed to reposition Benue State and assured that party members would work tirelessly to secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.