The prolonged anxiety over the governorship election in Benue State has at last come to an end with INEC's publication of the list of candidates participating in the election. INEC has, through its published list, confirmed that incumbent Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and Michael Kaase Aondoakaa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are candidates in the elections. The two have been the most speculated about in the run up to the February 6, 2027 governorship elections in the State. The development puts an end to protracted rumours and speculations on social media and open society which caused extensive anxiety in the polity, with one over-enthusiastic social media activist insisting that he should be stoned to death if Alia gets INEC's nod. INEC also lists Prof. Terhemba Shija of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Herman Iorwase Hembe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nyibiam Kwaghshir of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adagba Iorhen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Mercy Ujah Engole of the Action Peoples Party (APP). Others are Dominic Ochenehi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Mathias Terwase Byuan of the Labour Party (LP), Terese Paul Wombo of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Roseline Ada Chenge of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and Simon Ocheme Ogbe of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The development also effectively ends concerted efforts by the ruling APC administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disqualify all opposition political parties ahead the forthcoming elections.

Posted: 7days ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026