PDP Zone B Stakeholders Defend Emergence of Dr. Eunice Ortom as Senatorial Candidate, Dismiss Smear Campaign
…Express Confidence in Her Capacity to Deliver Effective Representation
Leaders, elders, and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue North-West Senatorial District (Zone B) have strongly defended the emergence of Dr. Mrs. Eunice Erdoo Ortom as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election, describing recent criticisms and social media attacks against her candidacy as a calculated campaign of misinformation and political blackmail.
In a statement jointly signed by prominent party leaders across the zone, the stakeholders said they were compelled to respond to what they described as a coordinated smear campaign aimed at discrediting the collective decision reached by PDP leaders regarding the zoning and selection process for the district’s Senate seat.
According to the statement, stakeholders from across the various local government areas of Zone B met in Makurdi in May 2026 and unanimously resolved that, in the interest of fairness, equity, justice, and political balancing, the party’s 2027 senatorial ticket should be ceded to the Nongov axis of Guma Local Government Area.
They explained that the decision was the outcome of extensive consultations and broad-based consensus among party leaders and stakeholders and was neither influenced by personal ambition nor imposed by any individual or family interest.
The stakeholders further disclosed that, following the zoning arrangement, the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, was offered the right of first refusal in recognition of his political stature and his role as the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 senatorial election.
They, however, noted that Chief Ortom repeatedly declined appeals from party faithful and stakeholders urging him to return to the senatorial race, preferring instead to continue supporting the party from a broader leadership position.
Following his decision not to contest, the stakeholders said they collectively appealed to him to permit his wife, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom, to answer what they described as the overwhelming call of the people to serve.
The statement emphasized that the call for Dr. Ortom’s candidacy was based on her personal achievements, proven competence, humanitarian record, and widespread acceptance among the people, rather than any familial relationship with the former governor.
They highlighted her contributions during her eight years as First Lady of Benue State, particularly through the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, which they said provided humanitarian support, educational assistance, healthcare interventions, women empowerment initiatives, and social welfare programmes for vulnerable groups across the state.
The stakeholders also credited Dr. Ortom with championing the welfare of women, children, widows, internally displaced persons, and other disadvantaged groups, describing her as a compassionate leader whose interventions transcended political, ethnic, and religious boundaries.
According to them, her humanitarian activities earned her widespread goodwill and established her as a mother figure to many displaced and vulnerable persons during some of the most challenging periods in Benue State’s history.
The PDP leaders rejected arguments that Dr. Ortom should be denied the opportunity to contest because she is married to a former governor, describing such claims as discriminatory, illogical, and contrary to democratic principles.
“Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom is a distinguished personality in her own right, with her own credentials, accomplishments, experience, and public goodwill. Democracy is about the free choice of the people, and the people of Zone B have freely expressed confidence in her ability to represent them effectively in the Senate,” the statement said.
They further alleged that those promoting the narrative that “Chief Ortom and his wife are the same person” were merely threatened by the growing popularity and grassroots acceptance enjoyed by Dr. Ortom across the senatorial district.
The stakeholders also dismissed attempts by political opponents to link her candidacy to criticisms of the former governor’s administration, insisting that such arguments were part of a broader strategy to undermine her credibility and rising political profile.
Defending Chief Ortom’s administration, they described him as one of the most transparent and people-oriented governors in the history of Benue State.
The statement noted that under his administration, labour unions were incorporated into the State Joint Account Allocation Committee to promote transparency and accountability in public finance management.
They also highlighted achievements recorded during his tenure, including the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions despite severe economic challenges, the domestication of the Pension Act, significant pension contributions, investments in healthcare, road construction, rehabilitation projects, and the execution of over a thousand primary school projects across the state.
The stakeholders further pointed to the acquisition of modern medical equipment for the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the commencement of the graduation of medical doctors from the institution after years of accreditation challenges.
On security, they commended Chief Ortom’s role in championing the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, describing it as a landmark intervention that helped redefine the fight against insecurity and promoted modern livestock management practices.
The PDP leaders maintained that efforts to rewrite the history of the Ortom administration were politically motivated and driven by fear of Dr. Ortom’s growing acceptance among voters.
They stressed that no law, constitutional provision, or democratic principle prevents a qualified woman from seeking elective office because of her marital relationship, warning that such arguments undermine the advancement of women in politics and governance.
Reaffirming their support for her candidacy, the stakeholders said they remained firmly committed to the resolution adopted on May 16, 2026, and expressed total confidence in Dr. Eunice Ortom as the consensus choice of the PDP for the 2027 Benue North-West Senatorial election.
They urged party members and the general public to disregard what they termed malicious propaganda against both Dr. Ortom and Chief Samuel Ortom, insisting that the people of Zone B remain united behind the decision.
The stakeholders concluded by advising critics of Dr. Ortom’s emergence to embrace democratic competition by promoting alternative candidates and ideas rather than engaging in personal attacks and character assassination.
“The decision of the PDP in Zone B was reached through broad consultations and consensus among elders, leaders, and stakeholders of the party. No amount of blackmail, propaganda, or sponsored social media attacks can reverse that democratic decision,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by Senator Fred Orti, Dr. Laha Dzever, Hon. Charles Torbunde, Dr. Adzer Abya, Barr. Michael Gusa, Chief Godwin Uwua, Dr. Mark Achaku, Hon. Isaac Mffo, Hon. Barr. Pius Gugu, Hon. Gabriel Tyona Gbenyi, Chief Jerome Uyina, Rt. Hon. William Ortyom, Hon. Barr. Ken Achabo, Hon. Solomon Gila, and Hon. Caleb Abah.
