By Yahaya Idris
Immediate past Governor of Benue State and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed as false and mischievous reports alleging that he and other party leaders are plotting to replace the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Assistant, Zege Paul Terhide, Ortom described the viral social media report as a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at misleading the public and creating unnecessary tension within the PDP.
According to the statement, Ortom, alongside the Senate Minority Leader, Patrick Abba Moro, and Aondoakaa, recently held a consultative meeting with prominent Benue personalities, including Chief Simon Shango, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr. Pius Akutah, Engr. Emmanuel Ameh and Dr. Matthias Byuan.
The former governor explained that the meeting formed part of ongoing consultations to build a broad-based strategic alliance among Benue stakeholders for the overall development of the state.
He insisted that at no point during the meeting was the replacement of Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or included on the agenda.
The statement noted that political consultations across party lines are neither unusual nor evidence of secret political conspiracies, especially when they are undertaken in the broader interest of the people.
Ortom reaffirmed that Aondoakaa remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP for the 2027 Benue governorship election and continues to enjoy the confidence and support of the party’s leadership.
He further expressed confidence in Aondoakaa’s leadership qualities, describing the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice as a competent and experienced administrator capable of addressing Benue State’s security, economic and developmental challenges.
The former governor also cautioned individuals behind what he described as fabricated reports to desist from spreading misinformation capable of creating confusion among PDP members and the public.
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He emphasized that responsible political journalism should be based on verified facts rather than speculation or deliberate falsehood.
Ortom urged PDP members, supporters of Aondoakaa and the people of Benue State to disregard the report, assuring them that no amount of political propaganda or misinformation would distract the party from building a strong coalition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.