The Benue Diaspora community in Plateau State has formally endorsed Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, for the 2027 Benue State election. The group also pledged to mobilise its members and resources for his campaign. The endorsement comes as the race to succeed Governor Hyacinth Alia is heating up.
Group says decision was deliberate, not partisan
Hemba said the decision followed a careful review of Aondoakaa’s record in public service, his professional achievements, his investments in Benue and his contributions to the welfare of its people.
He stressed that the endorsement was “neither accidental nor driven by partisan considerations.” According to him, members of the association hold different political views, and some belong to no party at all. What united them, he said, was a shared belief that Aondoakaa is the right person to lead Benue in 2027.
The association brings together Benue sons and daughters living in Plateau State. They come from different local government areas and professional backgrounds. Their stated hope is for a Benue defined by peace and security, quality education, working healthcare, good roads and jobs.
Why the group chose Aondoakaa
Hemba pointed to Aondoakaa’s time as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. He said Aondoakaa earned the nickname “Mr. Rule of Law” in that role.
He also cited Aondoakaa’s investment in agriculture through Mikap Nigeria Limited, especially a rice processing factory in Benue. In Hemba’s view, the factory shows a commitment to creating opportunities for farmers and generating employment.
On the challenges facing the state, Hemba named insecurity as the most urgent. He noted that many displaced people remain in camps, while farmers who once worked their own land now struggle to find food.
The group said it is ready to offer its professional expertise and resources to Benue’s development. It asked Aondoakaa to create room for diaspora participation in governance if he wins.
Leaders from across Benue speak at the event
The gathering heard goodwill messages from political and community leaders. Dr. Augustine Laha Dzever, Director-General of the Aondoakaa/Ogbenjuwa Campaign Organization, told the audience that party leaders and other stakeholders had reached a unanimous decision. In his words, Aondoakaa is the best person to take Benue forward in 2027.
Hon. Azua Ashongo, Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Benue State, thanked the Benue community in Plateau for its choice. He said the decision “would not be in vain.”
Traditional and community leaders from the Tiv, Idoma and Igede ethnic groups also spoke. They praised Aondoakaa’s track record and said his contributions reach Benue people across ethnic and geographical lines. They were:
- Chief Ben Ngunaana, Ter Tiv of Plateau State
- Chief John Musa, the Ada Idoma
- Chief Douglas Icha Achala, the Ad’Igede
Other speakers included Samuel Aza Ishor for youths, Mrs. Alice Elechi for women, Barr. Stephen Ahile for lawyers, and Chief Mrs. Nsofor, an associate of the Aondoakaas.
A minute’s silence for a fallen supporter
Before his address, Aondoakaa asked the audience to observe a minute’s silence for the late Smith Tyonor. Tyonor was a member of his political support team who died in a road accident in Makurdi three days earlier. The loss was widely felt in Benue political circles. Daily Talk earlier reported how the Benue PDP mourned Hon. Smith Tyonor, who was killed in a motorcycle collision in Makurdi.
Aondoakaa was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Jessica Michael Kaase Aondoakaa. Hemba praised her long relationship with Benue people in Jos and her support for families and individuals in difficulty.
Aondoakaa promises unity, security and accountability
Thanking the group, Aondoakaa said his vision for Benue rests on unity, security, accountability and fair development.
He criticised what he described as growing division in the state under Governor Alia. He blamed it on poor handling of the state’s affairs. If elected, he said, reuniting the state would be a major priority. No section, ethnic group or political constituency would be left out of development projects and opportunities, he added. He promised every part of Benue a fair share of government attention, whatever its politics, location or ethnicity.
On security, he said restoring peace and protecting lives and property would come first. He wants farmers to return safely to their farms, businesses to thrive and communities to live without fear. He has made similar points before. Aondoakaa has previously said Benue people have a right to their ancestral homes. He made that statement after a deadly attack in Ukum Local Government Area in August 2026.
“No Aondoakaa, No Benue” slogan rejected
Aondoakaa also spoke about what he called attempts to bring divisive slogans into the state’s politics. He said Benue is bigger than any individual and must not be tied to one person’s fortunes or ambitions.
He rejected the slogan “No Aondoakaa, No Benue” directly. He called it anti-people and out of step with the collective interest of the state. No individual should be placed above the state, he said, and Benue’s future must be built around the aspirations of its people, not personal political interests.
He also questioned how public money is managed. He alleged that the substantial funds accruing to Benue are not being properly accounted for. He called for transparency and responsible management of public funds so that the state’s resources produce visible improvements in citizens’ lives. These are Aondoakaa’s own claims. They were made at a political event and have not been independently verified.
Professor Dennis Ityavyar, who heads the Planning, Strategy and Research Committee of the Aondoakaa/Ogbenjuwa Campaign Organization, gave the vote of thanks. He thanked the organisers and the Benue community for the reception and the endorsement.
Who is Michael Aondoakaa?
Aondoakaa is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. He became the PDP’s governorship candidate in Benue after a consensus process in May 2026. Reports at the time said ten other aspirants stepped down and backed his candidacy in Makurdi.
He later named 38-year-old Dr. Oyije Ogbenjuwa as his running mate. Ogbenjuwa is an Israel-based security expert. The PDP also presented Aondoakaa with a Certificate of Return at its national secretariat in Abuja. Aondoakaa has said he will run an issue-based campaign and has promised to focus on peace, security, economic growth, justice and agricultural development.
His emergence was not welcomed by everyone in the party. Four PDP governorship aspirants from the Jechira area wrote to the state chairman objecting to the zoning arrangement behind his candidacy. They argued that the party had earlier zoned the office to Jechira for eight years. Party leaders have since moved to close ranks.
Delegation from Makurdi and across Benue
Aondoakaa travelled to Jos with a large delegation of political, professional and business figures. They included:
- Campaign leadership: Dr. Laha Dzever (Director-General), Hon. Abraham Waroh (Deputy Director-General) and Hon. Ameh Akoche (Campaign Secretary)
- Party officials: Hon. Azua Ashongo, PDP Deputy Chairman
- Former officials: Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, former Commissioner for Education; Chuzzy Egede, former Executive Secretary of NAPTIP; Dr. Terver Akase, former Special Adviser on Media Publicity to the Benue Governor
- Former local government chairmen: Hon. Isaac Mtom (Gboko) and Hon. Orjir Gbande (Kwande)
- Former Alia administration appointees: Hon. Sunday Shizum, former Adviser to the Governor, and Hon. Mrs. Erdoo Iyo, former Director-General of the Social Investment Programme
- Others: Hon. Afaor Christopher, former Chief Whip of the Benue Assembly; Elder John Uke, retired INEC Director; Engr. Peter Ashiekaa, businessman; Prof. Godwin Abu, agricultural economist; Dr. Toryila Akor and Hon. Titus Leva of the Aondoakaa camp; Raymond Faasema of Access Bank; and Hon. Suemo Tartor, Special Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
Why the Benue diaspora matters in 2027
Many Benue people live outside the state, in Plateau, Nasarawa, Abuja and beyond. They often keep strong ties to their home communities through family, farming and community associations. Candidates therefore treat their backing as a way to build goodwill beyond the state’s borders.
For Aondoakaa, the Jos endorsement offers a show of support from a community that is not tied to a single party. It also fits the unity message he stressed at the event. The reception brought Tiv, Idoma and Igede leaders onto one platform. That matters in a state where ethnic balance has long shaped politics.
Insecurity will likely remain the central issue. Farmers’ attacks, displacement and the state of rural roads and schools are the concerns voters raise most often. Whichever candidate wins public trust on these issues will be well placed.
What happens next
The campaign season is still ahead, and the contest is expected to be competitive. Alia is seeking to hold on to the office. He recently warned that “Benue is not Rivers” in a message aimed at those he says are trying to influence the 2027 contest from outside the state. Other parties are also expected to field candidates.
For now, the diaspora group says it will mobilise members and resources for the Aondoakaa campaign. It also wants a seat at the table, with ways for diaspora professionals to take part in governance if he wins.
Voters can follow the build-up with Daily Talk’s Election Countdown and see how the field is shaping up in our report on 160 candidates jostling for governorship seats across 11 states. Daily Talk will continue to follow developments in the Benue governorship race.
