Labour Party Picks Female Guber Running Mate in Benue

The Labour Party (LP) in Benue State, Nigeria, has officially unveiled Mrs. Juliana Obetta as its deputy governor candidate for the upcoming 2027 governorship election. Obetta will partner with Mr. Mathias Byuan, who was previously affirmed as the party's governorship candidate.

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I want to be a community governor, not the one that would take our money to Abuja. We would spend the money here so that the young people would have jobs.

The duo was presented at the state party secretariat in Makurdi by federal lawmaker Mr. Peter Agbese. Following his nomination, Byuan addressed journalists, stating that the people of Benue have urged him to succeed Governor Hyacinth Alia. He pledged to transition Benue State from its current civil service structure to a more viable industrial economy, creating jobs for the youth.

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We would ensure that 60 percent of our schools in Benue offer free education for our students to reduce the pressure on parents who have been going to sell one goat or tubers of yam before they can pay school fees.

Byuan also criticized the current administration, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has provided substantial funds to Benue State with little to show for it. He vowed to be a "community governor" who would invest state resources locally rather than sending them to Abuja. Furthermore, he proposed that 60 percent of schools in Benue should offer free education to alleviate financial burdens on parents.

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I have consulted widely with our party people, and we have decided to pick a deputy governor who would be acceptable to the people. We have chosen a woman, Juliana Obeta, a rural politician, to ensure that women have their fair share and a voice in the state.

Highlighting the importance of female representation, Byuan explained the choice of Obetta, a "rural politician," as his running mate. He stated, "We have chosen a woman, Juliana Obeta, a rural politician, to ensure that women have their fair share and a voice in the state." Obetta, who has a history of political involvement including serving as the first female elected chairman of Okpokwu LG Council, accepted the nomination wholeheartedly. She recognized the nomination as a significant step for Benue women, emphasizing their substantial voting power and the historical tendency for them to be sidelined after elections. Obetta vowed to be a voice for women and work towards achieving the 35 percent affirmative action for women in government.

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I accept this nomination wholeheartedly, and I want to say to the Benue women, this nomination is for you. I know how women come out to vote. Women constitute more than 80 percent of the voting capacity in the states. But most times when we finish the election, and the men are sworn into office, the women are being sidelined. This is the first time in Benue State that a political party is recognising the women’s folk. This, I accept wholeheartedly, and I want to tell the women that I’m going to be a voice for them.