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By Winnie Onu,
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Benue State, following the withdrawal of all 10 other aspirants.
The development followed weeks of consultations and internal negotiations, culminating in a unanimous endorsement of Aondoakaa by the aspirants and key stakeholders of the party.
The consensus arrangement was driven by top PDP leaders, including former Governor Samuel Ortom, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and State Chairman Ezekiel Adaji, alongside members of the State Executive Committee, the PDP caucus in the State Assembly, and influential blocs within the party.
At the ratification, the aspirants publicly backed the decision and pledged support for Aondoakaa’s candidacy, describing the process as credible despite earlier concerns over zoning and power balance.
One of the aspirants, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, noted that although there were reservations, the need for party unity took precedence.
Similarly, former lawmaker Dominic Ucha expressed confidence in Aondoakaa’s ability to lead the party to victory.
Other aspirants, including Revd. Tor Uja, Dr. Tersoo Loko, Prof. Sebastine Hon (SAN), Dr. Oyije Ogbenjua, Rtd. Naval Commander Ode Ojowu, Engr. Tor Tiv Ato, Dr. Simon Ater, and Chief Bemgba Iortyom, also aligned with the consensus outcome.
Speaking after the endorsement, Ortom commended the aspirants for what he described as a rare sacrifice, urging party members to sustain unity and work towards reclaiming power from the current administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia in 2027.
Moro, on his part, described the consensus as a strategic move aimed at repositioning the PDP, calling on supporters to rally behind the party’s agenda.
In his acceptance speech, Aondoakaa pledged to unite all factions within the PDP and begin reconciliation efforts immediately, assuring that his campaign would accommodate all interests.
He thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence placed in him, and promised to provide effective leadership if elected governor.
