Fmr Minister emerges as running mate to APC dep governorship candidate to Barr Jime.

Former minister of state for Niger Delta, Mr. Sam Ode, has emerged as the running mate to All Progressives Congress (APC) Benue governorship candidate, Barr Emmanuel Jime.

According to closed but relaible sources, Mr Ode was favoured by the party hierarchy in the state over the National commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh who was also in contention.

Mr Sam Ode was born in 1968 and hails from Otukpo LGA of Benue State. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Abuja, a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos and a Diploma in Law from the Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

He was pioneer state secretary of the National Democratic Party (NDP) before moving to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Odeh was special assistant to former Benue state Governor George Akume in 2005, caretaker Chairman of Otukpo LGA, and later former Governor Gabriel Suswam’s special adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, before his appointment as minister of state for Niger Delta under former President Goodluck Jonathan.