By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has affirmed former Attorney General of the Federation/Justice Minister, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 election.
The PDP also nominated Dr. Oyije Ochaekiti Ogbenjuwa as his running mate.
Aondoakaa was affirmed through a voice vote, that sealed the process.
The party’s major stakeholders, including its leadership, attended the endorsement congress event.
In his remarks at the occasion, immediate past Governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, told the congress that Chief Aondoakaa has the capacity to deliver the state from all challenges including insecurity, saying the gubernatorial candidate is “tested and trusted.”
Ortom expressed the belief that Aondoakaa would bring about the desired change and put food on the table of Benue people.
He appreciated the other governorship aspirants that decided to sacrifice their ambition and work with Aondoakaa, in the overall good of the state.
Ortom, who is the leader of the party in the state, pointed out that PDP has reactivated its internal resolution mechanism to resolve all intra-party crises.
In his remarks, Senator Abba Moro told the people to carry the message to everyone that there is a “new Sheriff in town” who has the capacity for the job.
Chief Aondoakaa, while accepting the mantle, said: “I stand before you today with profound humility, deep gratitude, and a strong sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination as the gubernatorial candidate of our great party, the PDP, for the 2027 governorship election in Benue state.”
He said the party’s leadership, stakeholders, co-aspirants and members have proven that PDP is a family, revealing the the co-aspirants were not just competitors but also his ”brothers and partners” in the mission to rescue and rebuild Benue.
He assured that he would carry along their visions and ideas as they embark on the journey toward 2027.
Aondoakaa noted that his proposed administration would focus on ending the killings in the state, further assuring that his administration would ensure that justice, transparency, and accountable governance would be restored.
The former Attorney General said, if voted into power, he would “immediately halt the attacks and bloodshed in our communities and enforce the protection of lives and property across Benue communities in a sustainable manner; revitalizing agriculture and rural development within the context of Benue State being the ‘Food Basket of the Nation’.”
State Chairman of the party, Ezekiel Adaji, had earlier in his remarks, received members of the party to the congress and spelt out the process which later produced Aondoakaa.
The Benue State PDP Electoral Committee Chairman who was also the Returning Officer for the exercise, Chief Tim Eneji, confirmed that Aondoakaa has been duly affirmed the governorship candidate for 2027.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Aondoakaa.
