Professor Terhemba Shija has accepted his party’s governorship nomination for Benue State, pledging to lead a united campaign to “rescue” the Food Basket’ from what he described as escalating insecurity, deepening poverty and poor governance.
Announced as the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s (NDC) consensus candidate, Shija said his selection is a call to public service that followed an internal process that involved stakeholders across Benue’s 276 wards, 23 local government areas and state caucuses.
He thanked rival aspirants and said the contest had strengthened, rather than fractured, the party.
“We are one formidable team determined to rescue Benue from the current administration,” Shija told supporters.
“This is not a winner-takes-all situation but a united movement committed to changing the course of history in our state.”
Shija has already named Dr. Raymond Edoh as his running mate, calling him “young, energetic, cosmopolitan and highly detribalized,” and said the ticket would offer “purposeful leadership” to the state.
Aligning the campaign with national figures, Shija expressed confidence in the NDC’s national leadership and linked his bid to the presidential ambitions of Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying the party offered “a credible alternative built on justice, equity, accountability and national unity.”
He also praised party leaders including National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and National Chairman Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe.
Turning to the problems he says afflict Benue, Shija described a deteriorating security environment that has displaced thousands and driven farmers from their fields, contributing to rising unemployment and widespread poverty.
“Our beloved state is facing an existential threat,” he said. “Benue deserves better leadership.”
Shija said his campaign plans to tour the state to present practical solutions, expand the party’s grassroots structures and secure voter confidence ahead of the 2027 contest.
He also acknowledged his campaign team, supporters and family, singling out his wife, Justice Theresa Shija, as a personal pillar of support.
The Professor of English Language at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, contested the 2023 Benue governorship election as the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, where he received 2,217 votes, representing about 0.46% of the total vote.
