Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Immediate past Governor of Benue State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, has dismissed as false and misleading reports alleging a plot to replace the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah.
Ortom, in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Paul Terhide, and issued to newsmen on Thursday, described the report circulating on social media as “a deliberate distortion of the facts” designed to create confusion within the PDP and among members of the public.
He explained that he, alongside the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, and Aondoakaa, recently met with prominent Benue indigenes, including Chief Simon Shango, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Pius Akutah, Engr Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan as part of ongoing consultations aimed at building a broad strategic alliance among Benue stakeholders in the interest of the state.
Ortom stressed that the issue of replacing Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate was neither discussed nor contemplated during the meeting.
He stated that “Political consultations and engagements across party lines are neither strange nor secret conspiracies, particularly when they are driven by the larger interest of the people. It is therefore mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it.”
The former governor further reaffirmed that Aondoakaa remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election.
He said the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice continues to enjoy the confidence and support of the party’s leadership and members.
Ortom also expressed confidence in Aondoakaa’s ability to provide purposeful leadership, citing his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges confronting the state.
He said Aondoakaa, if elected, would be capable of repositioning Benue towards improved security, economic recovery and sustainable development.
The former governor urged those responsible for the report to desist from spreading what he described as fabricated stories capable of causing unnecessary confusion among PDP members, supporters and the general public.
He also called for responsible political journalism and commentary, insisting that public discourse should be based on facts rather than speculation and deliberate falsehood.
Ortom urged PDP members, Aondoakaa’s supporters and the people of Benue State to disregard the report and remain focused, stressing that misinformation and political mischief would not distract the party leadership from its efforts to build a broad coalition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
