Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has secured the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, positioning himself for the 2027 general elections.
Agbese won the party's direct primary held on Saturday, May 30, after reportedly garnering over 52,000 votes across the three local government areas that make up the constituency. Party officials confirmed that the primaries were conducted in 35 wards, where Labour Party members openly endorsed his bid for a second term in the National Assembly.
Agbese recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party. He announced his defection in March during a session in the House of Representatives, stating that the move reflected the wishes of his constituents rather than personal ambition.
According to Premium Times, the National Returning Officer for Benue State, Aminu Atonu, described the primary exercise as calm and credible, noting that it proceeded without any major disruptions.
Labour Party Sweeps Benue Primaries
In other outcomes of the party's selection process in Benue, Samuel Onuh emerged unopposed as the LP senatorial candidate for Benue South, while businessman Mathias Byuan was confirmed as the party's governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking after his victory, Agbese thanked residents of Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo for what he called a strong show of support. He said, "Today is a remarkable day in my life." According to him, his supporters "defied the rains and gathered in their thousands" across wards to affirm his mandate.
Agbese also noted that his move to the Labour Party followed consultations in his constituency, where residents encouraged him to adopt the LP as a stronger political platform. He described the Labour Party as a platform driven by ordinary people, stating that it belongs to "mama, papa, pikin and everybody," and is not controlled by a single individual.
APC Primaries: Daramola Defeats Incumbent Rep
In a related development, Olumuyiwa Daramola, son of a former minister, emerged winner of the APC primary for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, defeating incumbent lawmaker Hon. Jimi Odimayo. Daramola secured a landslide victory with 6,547 votes against 827, a result widely described as a major shift in the constituency's political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections. Daramola thanked party leaders and delegates for their support and called for unity within the APC.
Former Ministers Lose Primaries
Several former ministers who resigned under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive to contest the 2027 elections under the APC recorded mixed outcomes in their respective party primaries across Nigeria. Former ministers such as Adebayo Adelabu, Saidu Alkali, and Yusuf Tuggar all lost their governorship primaries in Oyo, Gombe, and Bauchi states, respectively, despite intense campaigns and internal party contests.
