By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has adopted former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached at the party’s congress held yesterday in Makurdi.
Aondoakaa had earlier emerged through a consensus arrangement alongside other candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly seats.
State PDP Chairman Ezekiel Adaji told the congress that all aspirants selected on consensus still needed to complete the formal adoption process as required by the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act and called for a motion to confirm their candidature.
Agasha State Constituency lawmaker Williams Ortyom moved that candidates who emerged through consensus, from governorship, national to state assembly level, be adopted.
The motion was seconded by Ohimini State Constituency lawmaker and Minority Leader of the Benue Assembly, Isaac Agbo.
Chairman of the Benue PDP electoral committee for the governorship, National and State Assembly elections, Tim Eneje, then asked congress members if the presented candidates reflected the will of the party and the crowd responded in affirmation.
“Having heard the voices of party men and women confirming the consensus, the committee has therefore adopted Mike Aondoakaa as governorship candidate with others as candidates in various offices,” Eneje declared.
PDP leader in Benue and immediate past governor Samuel Ortom described Aondoakaa as fully prepared to deliver the state from insecurity and ignorance.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro congratulated the new flagbearer and urged party members to remain united and take the party’s message to every ward and local government.
Aondoakaa promised to run an issues-based campaign and form an inclusive government that addresses the needs of Benue people. He pledged to restore dignity, protect lives and property, and called on party faithful to preach peace and unity across the state.
He also thanked his co-aspirants for accepting the consensus outcome and said their sacrifice for the state would not be forgotten.