Benue 2027: Ortom Says Aondoakaa Remains PDP Guber Candidate

Former Benue State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Ortom, has dismissed reports alleging that party leaders are planning to replace the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah.

Ortom described the report circulating on social media as false, misleading and a “mischievous” distortion of a recent meeting involving prominent Benue stakeholders.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Zege Terhide, the former governor explained that he recently met with Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, Aondoakaa and other prominent Benue indigenes, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan.

According to Ortom, the meeting was part of ongoing consultations aimed at building a broad strategic alliance among Benue stakeholders in the overall interest of the state.

He stressed that the issue of replacing Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate was neither discussed nor contemplated during the meeting.

“At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda,” Ortom said.

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He described attempts to portray the meeting as a plot to change the party’s governorship candidate as mischievous, noting that political consultations among stakeholders across party lines were normal in a democratic setting.

“It is therefore mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it,” he said.

Ortom further maintained that engagements between political actors and stakeholders should not automatically be interpreted as secret conspiracies, particularly when such consultations are aimed at advancing the interests of the people.

He subsequently put the speculation over the PDP governorship ticket to rest, stating that Aondoakaa remains the party’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Benue.

“Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election,” he declared.

The former governor said Aondoakaa enjoys the confidence and support of the PDP leadership and members across the state.

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He also expressed confidence in the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, citing his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges confronting the state.

According to Ortom, Aondoakaa has the capacity to reposition Benue and provide purposeful leadership, particularly in the areas of security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

He warned those behind the alleged replacement story to stop circulating what he described as fabricated narratives capable of creating confusion within the party and among Aondoakaa’s supporters.

Ortom also urged political journalists and commentators to base their reports on verifiable facts rather than speculation or attributed motives.

“Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements,” he cautioned.

He called on PDP members, Aondoakaa’s supporters and the people of Benue State to disregard the report and remain focused on the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

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Ortom said the alleged misinformation would not distract the PDP leadership from its efforts to build what he described as a formidable coalition of Benue people capable of offering the state a credible alternative in 2027.