Benue PDP governorship candidate picks 38-year-old running mate

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State for the 2027 general election, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), on Sunday picked 38-year-old Dr. Oyije Ogbenjuwa as his running mate. Aondoakaa announced the choice of Ogbenjuwa, an Israel-based security expert, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Makurdi, where the party also ratified his […]

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State for the 2027 general election, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), on Sunday picked 38-year-old Dr. Oyije Ogbenjuwa as his running mate.

Aondoakaa announced the choice of Ogbenjuwa, an Israel-based security expert, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Makurdi, where the party also ratified his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate.

Speaking after his affirmation, Aondoakaa, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, said his administration would focus on peace, security, economic growth, justice, and agricultural development if elected into office in 2027.

He also pledged to implement the anti-open grazing law, promote industrial growth, create economic opportunities for the people, and ensure accountability in governance.

The PDP governorship candidate said the party would run an issue-based campaign devoid of bitterness, division, and hatred.

“Benue belongs to all of us. This campaign will not be built on bitterness, division, or hatred. It shall be an issue-based campaign that emphasises ideas, solutions, unity, and service,” he said.

He urged party members to close ranks and embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation across the state ahead of the elections.

“I call on every member of the PDP to work together as one united family. We must take our message to every ward, every local government, and every household across the state,” he added.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ezekiel Adaji, said the meeting was convened to ratify the emergence of all the party’s consensus candidates, insisting that the process complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Adaji subsequently supervised the motion for the ratification of Aondoakaa’s candidature, which was moved and adopted by party stakeholders.

Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee, Tim Enejoh, also affirmed Aondoakaa as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election after the stakeholders adopted the motion.

Speaking at the event, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, urged party members to work assiduously for the victory of all PDP candidates in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that Governor Hyacinth Alia would be voted out of office.

Also speaking, former Governor Samuel Ortom said the PDP remained the only opposition party with structures across the 276 council wards in the state, adding that the lessons from the 2023 elections had strengthened unity within the party.

“We must effect a change in 2027. That is why the PDP has presented somebody capable of transforming the state,” he said.

Ortom added that party leaders were ready to resolve all grievances among members in order to reposition the PDP for victory in the next general election.