Herman Hembe, who spent years in the House of Representatives, has clinched the African Democratic Congress nomination to run for Benue governor. He defeated two rivals in the ADC primary election held to pick the party's flag-bearer for the 2025 governorship race.
Hembe's victory in the primary signals a significant shift in Benue politics, where the ADC has been positioning itself as an alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress. The party has been working to broaden its appeal across the state's three senatorial zones.
Details of the primary election results, including the exact vote margins and names of the other aspirants, were not immediately clear. However, Hembe's emergence as the ADC candidate means the party now has a recognised face to lead its campaign efforts ahead of the general election.
As a former federal legislator, Hembe brings experience in legislative work and grassroots mobilisation. His move to contest the governorship reflects growing efforts by some political figures to challenge the traditional two-party dominance in the state.
The ADC's choice of Hembe as its candidate will now pit him against candidates from the PDP, APC, and other parties in what is shaping to be a competitive race. The party is expected to formally announce his candidacy and unveil a campaign structure in the coming weeks.
