By Peter Duru, Makurdi
Former Benue state governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, has dismissed as false and misleading reports alleging that he and other party leaders are plotting 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 issued by his Media Assistant, Zege Terhide, said the report circulating on social media was a “mischievous” distortion of a recent meeting involving prominent Benue stakeholders.
The former governor explained that he, alongside the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, and the PDP governorship candidate, Aondoakaa, met with prominent Benue sons, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr. Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh and Dr. Matthias Byuan.
According to him, the meeting was part of ongoing consultations aimed at building a broad strategic alliance among Benue stakeholders for the overall interest of the state.
“At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda,” Ortom said.
He described attempts to give the meeting a different interpretation as mischievous, stressing that political consultations across party lines were normal in a democratic environment. “It is therefore mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it,” he said.
Ortom maintained that consultations and engagements involving political actors and stakeholders should not automatically be interpreted as secret conspiracies, particularly when such engagements are motivated by the larger interest of the people.
“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,” he stated.
The former governor further put to rest speculation over the PDP governorship ticket, declaring unequivocally that Aondoakaa remains the party’s duly nominated candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
“Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election,” Ortom declared.
He said the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice enjoys the confidence and support of the PDP leadership and members across the state.
Ortom also expressed confidence in Aondoakaa’s ability to provide effective leadership if elected, citing his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges facing Benue.
He said Aondoakaa had the capacity to reposition the state and provide purposeful leadership, particularly in the areas of security, economic recovery and sustainable development.
The former governor therefore warned those responsible for circulating the alleged replacement story to desist from spreading what he described as fabricated narratives capable of causing confusion within the PDP and among supporters of its governorship candidate.
“Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements,” he cautioned.
Ortom urged PDP members, supporters of Aondoakaa and the people of Benue State to disregard the report and remain focused on the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the alleged misinformation would not distract the PDP leadership from its efforts to build what he described as a formidable coalition of Benue people capable of providing the state with a credible alternative in 2027.
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