Philip Agbese wins Labour Party ticket for second term

The member for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has been confirmed as the Labour Party candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This confirmation came from party members across the three local government areas in the federal constituency.

A statement from Agbese's media office on Sunday said that 52,000 votes were counted in the direct primary election held across the constituency. This shows his growing influence in the party just a few months after leaving the All Progressives Congress.

Agbese, who is also the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, officially joined the Labour Party after announcing his exit from the APC during a session in the House.

Since then, he has worked to strengthen the party's structures in Benue State, especially in the Benue South Senatorial District.

The lawmaker was confirmed as the party's candidate during congresses held in the 35 council wards of Enone, which includes Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo local government areas.

After the exercise, Dr Aminu Atonu, the National Returning Officer for Benue State, called the process peaceful, clear, and trustworthy.

Atonu also revealed that Samuel Onuh is the Labour Party's candidate for Benue South Senatorial District. Meanwhile, well-known philanthropist Dr Mathias Byuan was confirmed as the party's governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

Reacting to his confirmation, Agbese thanked party members and his constituents for what he called a strong show of trust in his leadership.

"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.

Looking back at his political career, Agbese recalled that he was first elected to the National Assembly under the APC in 2023. He said talking to his constituents made him realize that the LP was a better 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.

Agbese described the LP as a platform driven by the people instead of a few elites making decisions. He said the party's growth in Benue shows it is accepted by the grassroots.

"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 highlighted the party's growth in the state. He mentioned that the party now has candidates for several positions ahead of the 2027 elections.

"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 confirmation comes as political activities ramp up ahead of the 2027 general elections across Nigeria.

In Benue state, party loyalties are shifting in response to local politics and national events. The Labour Party is trying to strengthen its presence by attracting elected officials and building its grassroots support.