Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and his wife, Eunice Ortom
Leaders, elders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue North-West have thrown their weight behind Dr. Mrs. Eunice Erdoo Ortom’s proposed 2027 senatorial bid, dismissing negative narratives circulating on social media as the handiwork of political opponents.
In a statement jointly signed by prominent party figures, including Sen. Fred Orti, Dr. Laha Dzever and Hon. Charles Torbunde, the stakeholders described the reports as “desperate propaganda of political jobbers and merchants of falsehood whose stock-in-trade is blackmail and distortion.”
The group explained that after extensive consultations, stakeholders unanimously resolved that, “in the spirit of fairness, equity, justice and political balancing, the Zone B Senate seat for 2027 should be ceded to the Nongov axis of Guma Local Government Area of the state,” stressing that the decision was collective and not influenced by personal interests.
They further disclosed that former Governor Samuel Ortom was first offered the right of refusal for the ticket but declined repeated appeals to contest, prompting stakeholders to urge him to allow his wife to answer what they described as a widespread call to serve.
According to the statement, support for Dr. Mrs. Ortom is rooted in her humanitarian record, particularly through the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, which has championed interventions in healthcare, education, women empowerment and support for vulnerable groups across the state.
The stakeholders maintained that “it is therefore intellectually dishonest for anyone to suggest that Dr. Mrs. Ortom should be denied the opportunity to contest simply because she is married to Chief Samuel Ortom,” arguing that such views undermine women’s rights and leadership aspirations.
Defending the former governor’s record, the group said his administration promoted transparency, paid most outstanding salaries and pensions, invested in infrastructure, healthcare and education, and enacted the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to address insecurity.
They insisted that attempts to link Dr. Mrs. Ortom’s political ambition to criticisms of her husband’s tenure were politically motivated and aimed at weakening her growing popularity across the district.
Reaffirming their support, the stakeholders declared that “the people of Zone B are politically conscious and cannot be deceived by sponsored falsehoods and propaganda,” while emphasizing that no law or democratic principle bars a qualified woman from seeking elective office because of her marital status.
