The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State, Herman Hembe, on Thursday pledged to serve only one four-year term if elected governor in 2027, saying the promise was aimed at protecting equity and ensuring that Benue South finally gets its turn to produce the state’s governor in 2031.
Hembe made the declaration in Makurdi during the official unveiling of his running mate, John Abba, before a large gathering of party supporters and stakeholders.
The event attracted top party leaders including the Benue ADC Chairman, Sam Okwu; Sen. Orker Jev, the party’s Benue South senatorial candidate; Dr David Olofu; national and state assembly candidates; former commissioners; and former lawmakers.
He explained that after emerging as the party’s governorship candidate, he deliberately handed the responsibility of choosing his running mate to the party leadership and stakeholders, a process coordinated by the party’s national leadership.
Hembe said although several aspirants were eminently qualified, the transparent consultation process eventually produced John Abba and urged party members to accept the decision in good faith and work together for the victory of every ADC candidate.
He said his decision to seek only one term was informed by the need to protect the spirit of fairness and power rotation in Benue.
According to him, Benue South remains the only senatorial district yet to produce a democratically elected governor since the creation of the state, warning that electing candidates from other zones in 2027 could push the district’s aspiration back by another eight years.
Hembe said the ADC was not contesting only the governorship election but every elective position, stressing that a governor would require the support of senators, House of Representatives members and State Assembly lawmakers to succeed.
Hembe expressed confidence that the party had credible candidates capable of defeating opponents without entering political alliances. He also predicted victory for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying Nigerians would rally behind him across the country.
He promised to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to the 23 local governments immediately after assuming office, arguing that councils must be free to manage their resources, strengthen grassroots security and execute projects that directly benefit their people.
Speaking at the unveiling, the ADC Benue South senatorial candidate, Dr David Olofu, expressed confidence in the quality and capacity of the party’s candidates to win the confidence of Benue people.
Benue ADC governorship candidate Hembe promises single term to ensure power rotation