The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has secured the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State for the 2027 general elections. This followed a direct primary election conducted by the party on Saturday, where Agbese polled over 52,000 votes across the three local government areas of the constituency.
The lawmaker's emergence was preceded by a series of congresses held in all 35 council wards of the constituency, where party members overwhelmingly endorsed his candidature for a second term. This affirmation comes months after Agbese defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party in March, a move he attributed to the wishes of his constituents rather than personal ambition.
Speaking after the primaries, the National Returning Officer for Benue State, Aminu Atonu, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible. He also announced that Samuel Onuh emerged unopposed as the LP candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, while businessman Mathias Byuan was affirmed as the party's governorship candidate for 2027.
Reacting to his victory, Agbese expressed gratitude to the people of Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo for their overwhelming support. He urged them to maintain the momentum and vote for the LP in the general elections, promising to justify their trust. "Today is a remarkable day in my life. It is a day when my people, the good people of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, once again demonstrated that their love for me is beyond mere words," he said.
Agbese recalled that he was first elected in 2023 under the APC but later encouraged by constituents to switch to a new platform. After assessing options, they recommended the Labour Party as a more viable vehicle. "They did not only suggest Labour Party, they followed me massively into the party and together we started building it like the Ark of Noah. Today, we can boast of more than 60,000 registered members on our database," he noted.
The lawmaker emphasized that the Labour Party is owned by ordinary Nigerians and driven by collective will. He highlighted the party's expansion in Benue, noting that it now fields candidates for multiple positions, including 32 House of Assembly, 10 House of Representatives, three Senatorial, and one Governorship candidate. "What God cannot do, certainly does not exist," he concluded.
