The gathering combined traditional rites with political speeches. Organisers described it as a celebration of one of Ushongo’s own, while speakers from several parties used the platform to urge residents to support Aondoakaa at the polls.
Traditional rulers pray for the candidate
At the Ushongo Traditional Council Hall, the Ter Ushongo, His Royal Highness Augustine Kuma, called Aondoakaa a worthy son of the soil. He said he was confident in the candidate’s commitment to Ushongo’s development and his ability to deliver the benefits of democracy to the people of Benue State. According to the monarch, no father would refuse to bless his son in such a cause.
Other traditional leaders also spoke. The Mue Ter Mbagwa, Dr. Gema Alu, and the Ter Mata, His Royal Highness Daniel Ayada (Rtd), offered blessings on behalf of their people and promised continued prayers.
The most emotional moment came during a traditional blessing ceremony involving Aondoakaa’s kinsmen, the Ityo. Elder Atsue Ibi offered solemn prayers for the candidate and warned against anyone who, out of malice, might try to obstruct the aspirations of Ushongo people through his political journey. The elders then invoked the blessings of the entire Ukan nation, committing him to divine protection, strength and victory. They said that when a son carries the hopes of his people, their prayers become his armour.
Organisers call for a strong turnout
At the reception ground, the event convener, Engr. Peter Ashiekaa, welcomed guests and urged residents to take pride in what he described as rightfully theirs. He called on them to rally behind their son and defend the opportunity before them.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Augustine Laha Dzever, who is also Director-General of the Aondoakaa/Ogbenjuwa Campaign Organization, said he was satisfied with the turnout. He described it as proof of the candidate’s grassroots connection and urged residents to turn that enthusiasm into votes on election day. Dr. Dzever added that a Kwande son on the PDP governorship ticket reflected the Tiv nation’s commitment to fairness and political equity, and he asked people to protect the opportunity.
The guest speaker, PDP Deputy State Chairman Hon. Azua Ashongo, presented the case for why Kwande should hold the governorship ticket in 2027. He cited fairness, political balance and inclusiveness, and urged residents not to let opportunists deprive the area of the chance the party has offered.
Support from other parties
Support at the event was not limited to PDP members. The Leader of the Accord Party in Ushongo and former Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Saater Tiseer, and the Ushongo Local Government chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ushahemba Tyavkase, both publicly endorsed Aondoakaa as their preferred governorship candidate. Speakers presented this as evidence that local pride in a native son can cut across party lines. It is worth noting that these were individual declarations, and the parties themselves have not announced any formal alliance.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and PDP candidate for Gboko West State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, criticised the state government. He said it had failed in its responsibility to the people and lacked accountability, and he asked residents to back Aondoakaa as a way to restore purposeful leadership. These are his views, and the state government was not quoted in this report. Readers can follow developments on the national scene in our politics coverage.
Aondoakaa: “Benue needs a unifier”
Responding to the reception, Aondoakaa thanked the people for their love, confidence and solidarity. He promised never to betray their trust and to stay committed to their welfare and the progress of Benue State.
The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said Benue needs a unifier, meaning a leader with the courage and political will to confront insecurity, restore public confidence and steer the state toward peace and prosperity. He also briefed the royal fathers, elders and kinsmen on his campaign journey so far, and described the outpouring of support as deeply humbling.
“For every great journey, there is a people whose prayers light the way. And for every worthy son, there is no greater honour than the blessings of his roots.”
In her vote of thanks, Chief Lady Veronica Gajir, LSM, thanked the traditional rulers, elders, political leaders and guests, and urged them to turn their support into action by voting in large numbers in 2027.
Aondoakaa was accompanied by his wife, Chief Mrs. Susan Aondoakaa, along with political associates and family members. Among the attendees was Hon. Aondowase Kunde, a former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management who recently resigned from Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
How Aondoakaa became the PDP candidate
Aondoakaa, a former Attorney General and Justice Minister, left the APC to join the PDP to pursue the governorship. BusinessDay reported that the party chose him as its consensus candidate, and the state chapter of the party said he emerged ahead of 11 other aspirants through a process accepted by his co-contestants, according to Leadership newspaper.
The decision has not been without objection. Four PDP aspirants from the Jechira area wrote to the party to protest the move of the ticket to Kwande, arguing that the governorship had earlier been zoned to Jechira. The party has since presented him with a Certificate of Return in Abuja, and he has named Dr. Oyije Ogbenjuwa as his running mate.
What the Ushongo event signals
Gatherings like the one in Lessel are a common feature of Nigerian campaign seasons. Traditional institutions hold deep influence in communities, and a candidate’s visible backing from royal fathers and elders can shape local perceptions. Whether that goodwill converts into votes will only be known when Benue residents go to the polls. The state’s political contest is also taking place against a national backdrop in which the parties are already mobilising, as seen in the PDP’s plan for a mega rally and the APC’s response.
The issues Aondoakaa named, namely insecurity, public confidence and unity, are the same concerns that voters across Benue regularly raise. How each candidate presents concrete plans on these issues is likely to matter as the campaign advances.
Voters who want to take part must be properly registered. Ahead of the elections, citizens can learn more about the register and recent concerns in our report on the INEC voter register debate, and can follow wider campaign developments, including remarks by politicians to party councillors.
