2027 Benue Guber Race: Ex-Justice Minister, Aondoakaa emerges PDP Consensus Candidate.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 
Former  Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consensus governorship candidate in Benue State for the 2027 elections.

Aondoakaa clinched the ticket following a consensus process that saw all 10 co-aspirants stepped down and unanimously endorsed his candidacy, indicating rare show of unity within the party ahead of next year’s polls.

The PDP consensus process, which followed weeks of consultations by the aspirants, involved extensive and strategic deliberations by the party’s leadership and critical stakeholders.

Key figures who drove the process included the immediate past Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; State Chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji; members of the State Executive Committee; the PDP State Assembly Caucus; as well as the influential G-14 and G-9 blocs of party elders.

The consensus decision was formally ratified by all aspirants, each of whom publicly affirmed the credibility of the process and pledged support for Aondoakaa’s candidacy.

Among them, former Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, acknowledged reservations over zoning but accepted the outcome in the interest of party cohesion. Similarly, Rt. Hon. Dominic Ucha, a two-term member of the Benue State House of Assembly, congratulated Aondoakaa and pledged full support towards securing victory in 2027.

Other prominent 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 endorsed the candidate and committed to working for the party’s success.

In their remarks, Chief Samuel Ortom and Senator Abba Moro commended the aspirants for their maturity, loyalty, and sacrifice, describing the outcome as a major step towards repositioning the PDP for victory.

Chief Ortom urged all stakeholders to sustain the spirit of unity and prioritize the collective interest of Benue State, stressing the need to reclaim power from the incumbent administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia in 2027. He also advised Aondoakaa to foster inclusivity by integrating fellow aspirants into his campaign structure.

Senator Moro described the consensus as a difficult but necessary decision, emphasizing the urgency of providing purposeful leadership for the state. He called on party faithful and the people of Benue to rally behind the PDP’s mission to “rescue” the state.

In his acceptance speech, Aondoakaa pledged to immediately begin reconciliation efforts within the party, promising to unite its structures into a formidable force ahead of the elections.

He expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him, describing the PDP as Nigeria’s most successful political party since 1999, and assured supporters of his commitment to delivering responsive leadership, if elected governor in 2027.