BREAKING: INEC releases final list of Benue governorship candidates, retains Alia, Ode

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has been included in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election, despite the controversy surrounding the political process ahead of the poll.

The final list, released by INEC, names Alia as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with his deputy, Samuel Ode, listed as his running mate.

Alia’s inclusion comes amid the controversy surrounding the Benue APC and the political disagreements within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the INEC document, Alia, 60, is among 12 governorship candidates listed for the Benue election.

Other candidates on the list include Herman Iorwase Hembe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nyibiam Kwaghshir of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adagba D. Iorhen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Mercy Ujah Engole of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Dominic Ochenehi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Mathias Terwase Byuan of the Labour Party (LP), Terhemba Shija of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Terese Paul Wombo of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Michael Kaase Aondoakaa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Roseline Ada Chenge of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and Simon Ocheme Ogbe of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The election is scheduled for February 6, 2027.