SDP’s Benue gov’ship candidate missing from INEC list, 12 cleared

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, has been omitted from the list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The list, published on INEC’s portal, contained 12 governorship candidates and their running mates representing different political parties in the state, but excluded Hon and his running mate.

The omission reportedly threw SDP members and supporters into confusion, raising concerns about the absence of their candidate from the electoral commission’s official list.

However, Hon, who described the development as an error, expressed confidence that INEC would correct the omission.

He urged his supporters and party members to remain calm, insisting that the situation was not a cause for alarm.

“I believe this is just a minor error. It will be corrected,” Hon stated.

Among the candidates featured on the INEC portal is the incumbent governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, 60, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election with his deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, as his running mate.

The list also features Nyibiam Kwaghshir, 44, of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), with Abu Adanu as his running mate, and Adagba Iorhen, 37, of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), whose running mate is Martha Alade.

Also listed is Herman Hembe, 51, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with John Abba as his running mate.

Engole Ujah, 43, is the governorship candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP), with Gwanger Kavenen as her running mate.

The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) is represented by Ochenehi Dominic, 44, with Omeji Ochoechi as his running mate. Mathias Byuan, 51, is listed as the Labour Party (LP) candidate, with Juliana Obetta as his running mate.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate is Prof. Terhemba Shija, 65, who is contesting with Raymond Edoh as his running mate.

Similarly, Paul Wombo, 35, is the candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), with Pius Ogbu as his running mate, while Roseline Chenge, 55, is listed as the candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), with Emmanuel Gwaza as her running mate.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Michael Aondoakaa, 64, is listed alongside his running mate, Ogbenjuwa Oyije.

Simon Ogbe, 35, is the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), with Robert Gboko as his running mate.

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