Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom denies social media claims that he is planning to replace the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN). According to a statement attributed to Ortom’s media aide, Zege Terhide, the reports alleged that Ortom and some PDP leaders met with figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remove Aondoakaa and substitute him with Dr Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Ortom says the meeting being discussed was not about changing the PDP candidate. He states that he, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Aondoakaa, and other prominent Benue stakeholders, including Simon Shango, Iyorwuese Hagher, Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh, and Matthias Byuan, were involved in consultations aimed at forming a broad strategic partnership across party lines for the benefit of the state.
Ortom maintains that replacement of Aondoakaa was not discussed, considered, or placed on the agenda, and that Aondoakaa remains the PDP’s duly nominated candidate. He urges Benue residents and PDP members to disregard what he describes as misinformation.
