Benue: Four PDP Governorship Aspirants Reject Ex-Justice Minister as Consensus Candidate

Four governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Jechira intermediate area in Benue State have rejected the emergence of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), as the party’s consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a protest letter addressed to the Benue State PDP Chairman, Ezekiel Adaji, and signed by four governorship aspirants — Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Dominic Terkaa Ucha, Peter Terwase Tortiv-Ato, and Ater Simon Ayangalumun — they expressed displeasure over the recent decision to zone the gubernatorial position, noting that it was premature to shift the zoning arrangement from Jechira to the Kwande intermediate area of the state.

The letter recalled that the PDP had earlier, in 2023, zoned the governorship position to Jechira, with the understanding that it would remain there for a period of eight years.

According to the aspirants, while the party’s decision is supreme, they called on the party chairman to review the zoning arrangement in line with the established conventions and principles of the PDP.

Parts of the letter read: “We, PDP chieftains from Jechira and PDP 2027 governorship aspirants, wish to express our deep displeasure over the recent decision taken by the party regarding the zoning of the governorship position. The PDP had earlier, in 2023, zoned the governorship position to Jechira, with the understanding that it would be retained for eight years.

“Prior to this, Jemgbagh had held the position for eight years, followed by Sankera for another eight years, and MINDA (Lobi) for eight years. We therefore ask: why should the case of Jechira be different?

“We acknowledge that the party is supreme, but it is our firm position that the PDP governorship ticket should remain in Jechira and not move to Kwande.”

The letter further stated: “We wish to clearly inform all our supporters, especially those in Jechira, that we have not, and will not, sell our mandate. While the party and its decisions remain supreme and must be respected, we respectfully call on our esteemed chairman to use his good offices to review this decision in line with the established conventions and principles of the PDP,” the aspirants stated.

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP, the Benue PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, confirmed receipt of the letter.

“The letter was addressed to the Benue State PDP chairman, and he received it,” he said.