ADC Primary: Former Rep. Herman Hembe Wins Benue Governorship Nomination

…vows to reclaim occupied communities

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Herman Hembe, has been selected as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election after winning the party’s primary election.

Hembe received 46,526 votes, defeating rival Mr. Peter Adejoh, who polled 31,990 votes, and Mr. Joseph Waya, who came third with 26,919 votes.

The primary result was announced on Monday at the ADC Secretariat in Makurdi by the governorship primary election returning officer, Mr. Victor Tukura, who described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and rancour‑free.

“Hon. Herman Hembe, having polled the highest number of votes, stands nominated as the governorship candidate of the ADC in Benue State,” Tukura declared.

He added that the exercise was conducted in accordance with the ADC constitution and the party’s guidelines for governorship primaries, describing it as “peaceful, free, fair and credible,” and expressing optimism that the candidate would win the upcoming election.

After his announcement, Hembe thanked the party leadership and members for what he called a historic and well‑organised primary.

“First of all, I would like to thank the leadership of the party in Benue State led by Senator Orker Jev, who is the chairman of our leadership team,” Hembe said.

He also praised the acting state chairman, Hon. Samson Okwu, and other party officials for ensuring the exercise’s success.

Hembe reiterated the ADC’s determination to take control of the state, noting that the primary outcome reflected the confidence of party members in his candidacy.

“The ADC is a party that is on a mission, and in Benue State, the party has always been poised to win. I am excited about the primaries, and I’m excited about the outcome,” he added.

Addressing insecurity, Hembe criticised the current administration for failing to address the worsening security situation, particularly attacks on rural communities.

He noted that the incumbent governor’s inaugural speech contained no policy statement except a mention of revisiting the anti‑open grazing law, which Hembe said had been abandoned, leaving communities vulnerable to armed herders, bandits and terrorists.

“They have abandoned it and allowed our communities to be terrorised by bandits and terrorists who have consistently killed our people,” he said.

Hembe assured Benue residents that, if elected, addressing insecurity and reclaiming occupied communities would be top priorities.

“When we get to office, the first item on our agenda will be returning our lands to the people who own the lands,” Hembe declared.

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