The member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has emerged as the Labour Party candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- +Benue lawmaker secures LP ticket for second term bid
This followed an affirmation by party members across the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
This followed an affirmation by party members across the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
A statement from the media office of the LP chieftain on Sunday noted that a total of 52,000 votes were recorded in the direct primary election conducted across the constituency, underscoring his growing influence within the party barely months after his defection from the All Progressives Congress.
Agbese, who serves as Deputy Spokesperson of the House, formally joined the Labour Party after announcing his departure from the APC on the floor of the House.
Since then, he has spearheaded efforts to strengthen the party’s structures in Benue State, particularly in Benue South Senatorial District.
The lawmaker was affirmed as the party’s candidate during congresses held across the 35 council wards of Enone, comprising Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo local government areas.
Speaking after the exercise, the National Returning Officer for Benue State, Dr Aminu Atonu, described the process as peaceful, transparent and credible.
Atonu also announced the emergence of Samuel Onuh as the Labour Party’s candidate for Benue South Senatorial District, while renowned philanthropist, Dr Mathias Byuan, was affirmed as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.
Reacting to his emergence, Agbese expressed gratitude to party members and constituents for what he described as an overwhelming demonstration of confidence in his leadership and representation.
“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 was beyond lips and facial expressions.
“They went all out, defied the rains and gathered in their thousands across the 35 Council Wards of the Federal Constituency, to affirm the mandate given to me,” he said.
Reflecting on his political journey, Agbese noted that his first election to the National Assembly came on the APC platform in 2023, but argued that consultations with constituents convinced him that the LP offered a more viable platform for the future.
“They first elected me under the APC in 2023. And when the time came to kick-start the process of re-electing me, the people consulted and x-rayed all options available, and they promptly suggested a fresh and more viable vehicle that could take us to the National Assembly.
“They didn’t only suggest Labour Party, they also followed me massively to the party and we started building it, like the Ark of Noah. Today, we can boast of over 60,000 members registered on the database, at short period of time,” he stated.
The lawmaker described the LP as a platform driven by popular participation rather than elite control, insisting that the party’s growth in Benue was evidence of grassroots acceptance.
“Today, they came out massively to demonstrate the love. They have proven the true identity, logo and ideology of the party. The Labour Party is for mama, papa, pikin and everybody, and not just one person sitting in a room and deciding the fate of the masses, deciding who gets what,” Agbese added.
Beyond his own candidacy, Agbese pointed to the expansion of the party’s political structures across the state, noting that the party now has candidates for multiple elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls.
“If not for the people, I wouldn’t have discovered such a viable, people-oriented and more acceptable platform as Labour Party. Imagine me that should be looking for a ticket of a party, is now standing today, presenting flags to 32 House of Assembly candidates; 10 House of Representatives candidates; three senatorial candidates and a governorship candidate. What God cannot do, certainly does not exist,” he said.
Agbese’s emergence comes as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across the country.
In Benue state, where party loyalties have increasingly shifted in response to local political dynamics and national developments, the Labour Party is seeking to consolidate its presence by attracting elected office holders and strengthening its grassroots structures.
