By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has pledged to create at least 100,000 jobs annually for young people across the state if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.
Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, also promised to tackle political thuggery by expanding economic opportunities for youths and providing financial support through cooperatives, entrepreneurship schemes and other empowerment initiatives.
He made the commitments weekend while addressing commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, who turned out in large numbers to welcome him back to Makurdi after his political engagements in Abuja.
The motorcycle operators converged at the Agan Toll Gate, from where they accompanied the PDP candidate into the state capital in a long procession.
The procession moved through parts of Makurdi and culminated in a carnival-like gathering at Aondoakaa’s residence along George Akume Way, where the riders expressed their support for his 2027 governorship aspiration.
Addressing the gathering, Aondoakaa said, “the energy of Benue youths should be channelled towards productive ventures rather than political violence and thuggery.”
According to him, “young people need jobs, access to capital and opportunities to develop sustainable businesses rather than being recruited and used as instruments of political intimidation.”
The PDP candidate said his administration would prioritise the creation of economic opportunities that would enable young people to become gainfully self-employed and financially independent.
He said an administration led by him “will encourage the formation of viable cooperatives through which young entrepreneurs, artisans, commercial motorcycle operators, farmers and other groups can access financial support to establish or expand their businesses.”
Aondoakaa further pledged that “my government would deliberately partner with the private sector through agriculture, agro-processing, MSMEs, construction, manufacturing, technology, services to stimulate investment and employment opportunities, with a target of creating not fewer than 100,000 jobs every year.”
He said “expanding employment and enterprise opportunities would help reduce the vulnerability of young people to recruitment for political violence and other forms of criminality.”
Aondoakaa also spoke against what he described as the development of personality cults around political office holders, saying political leadership should remain centred on service to the people.
He said he would not permit his supporters to adopt the slogan, “No Aondoakaa, No Benue, because Benue State belongs to its people and is greater than any individual occupying the office of governor.”
According to him, “leadership should be about service to the people rather than elevating an individual above the state or its people.”
The reception by the commercial motorcycle operators comes amid a series of political engagements between Aondoakaa and various political, professional and community groups ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
In recent weeks, different groups have publicly identified with his candidature and declared support for his campaign.
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