..dismiss any criticism of her choice

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue North West Senatorial District (Zone B) have reaffirmed their support for former First Lady of Benue State, Dr. Eunice Ortom, as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

The leaders dismissed criticisms trailing her emergence as “falsehoods, propaganda and coordinated misinformation.”

In a statement jointly signed by prominent PDP stakeholders across the zone, including former Senator Fred Orti, Dr. Laha Dzever, Charles Torbunde, Michael Gusa and other party leaders, the group said Dr. Ortom’s endorsement followed extensive consultations and a broad-based consensus among party leaders, elders, women and youth groups.

The stakeholders explained that at a meeting held in Makurdi in May 2026, PDP leaders from across the district unanimously resolved that the 2027 Benue North West Senate seat should be ceded to the Nongov axis of Guma Local Government Area in the interest of equity, fairness and political balancing.

According to the statement, the immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, was initially offered the right of first refusal for the ticket in recognition of his political standing and previous contest for the seat in 2023.

“Chief Ortom initially declined repeated calls and appeals by party faithful and stakeholders urging him to personally rejoin the senatorial race,” the stakeholders stated.

They added that following his decision not to contest, party stakeholders across the district appealed to him to allow his wife, Dr. Eunice Ortom, to answer what they described as the overwhelming call by the people to serve.

The group maintained that Dr. Ortom’s endorsement was based on her track record of humanitarian service and public engagement rather than her relationship with the former governor.

“That appeal was neither accidental nor manipulated. It was based on the proven capacity, competence, compassion and impeccable public record of Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom, whose years of selfless humanitarian service have earned her immense goodwill and widespread acceptance among the people of Benue State and beyond,” the statement said.

The stakeholders highlighted Dr. Ortom’s activities as former First Lady through the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, noting that she championed programmes in healthcare, education, women empowerment, support for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

They argued that criticism of her candidacy on the grounds of her marriage to Chief Ortom amounted to discrimination against women in leadership. “It is therefore intellectually dishonest for anyone to suggest that Mrs. Ortom should be denied the opportunity to contest simply because she is married to Chief Samuel Ortom.

“Such arguments are not only illogical and discriminatory, but they also amount to a direct attack on the rights, individuality, capacity and independent identity of women in leadership,” ” the group said.

The PDP leaders further alleged that those opposing her emergence were motivated by fears over her popularity and grassroots support across the senatorial district.
They also defended the administration of former Governor Ortom, citing achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, salary payments, pension reforms and the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law as evidence of his contributions to the state.

Reaffirming their position, the stakeholders said they remained committed to the decision reached on May 16, 2026, describing Dr. Ortom as the unanimous choice of the party for the 2027 Benue North West Senatorial election.

“The PDP stakeholders of Zone B therefore stand firmly by the collective decision reached on 16th May, 2026 and reaffirm our total confidence in Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom as the unanimous choice of the party for the 2027 Benue North West Senatorial election,” the statement added.

The group urged party members and the public to disregard what it described as malicious propaganda against Dr. Ortom and her husband, insisting that the decision on her emergence was “final and irreversible.”

They further challenged opponents to promote alternative candidates through ideas and political engagement rather than what they termed smear campaigns and character attacks.