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Benue PDP candidate replacement plot denied by ex-Governor Ortom
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Benue PDP candidate replacement plot denied by ex-Governor Ortom

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has denied reports of a plot to replace the PDP's 2027 governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa.
  • Ortom stated that a recent meeting of Benue stakeholders was for broad strategic alliance building, not candidate replacement.
  • He affirmed that Aondoakaa remains the party's duly nominated candidate and enjoys the PDP leadership's support.

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has vehemently denied allegations that he and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders are orchestrating a plan to replace the party's 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa. Ortom dismissed the reports, circulating on social media, as a "mischievous" distortion of a recent meeting involving prominent Benue stakeholders.

At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda.

— Samuel OrtomThe former Benue State Governor addressed reports of a plot to replace the PDP's governorship candidate.

Ortom clarified that the meeting included key figures such as Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, PDP governorship candidate Aondoakaa, Chief Simon Shango, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh, and Dr Matthias Byuan. He explained that the gathering was part of ongoing consultations aimed at fostering a broad strategic alliance for the overall benefit of Benue 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 stated.

It is therefore mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it.

— Samuel OrtomOrtom criticized the social media reports circulating about a recent stakeholder meeting.

He characterized attempts to misinterpret the meeting's purpose as mischievous, emphasizing that political consultations across party lines are a normal democratic practice. Ortom urged those spreading the alleged replacement story to cease their activities, asserting that such engagements, when motivated by the larger interest of the people, should not be misconstrued as secret conspiracies.

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.

— Samuel OrtomOrtom defended the nature of political meetings in a democratic environment.

Reaffirming his confidence in Aondoakaa, Ortom declared that the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice remains the PDP's officially nominated candidate for the 2027 governorship election. He highlighted Aondoakaa's experience, competence, and understanding of Benue's challenges, expressing belief in his capacity to provide effective leadership in areas such as security, economic recovery, and sustainable development.

Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election.

— Samuel OrtomOrtom affirmed Aondoakaa's position as the party's candidate.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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