In a statement released on Friday by his media assistant, James Ian, the candidate called Tyonor’s death a great loss to the Benue PDP. He remembered him as a dependable youth organizer and a loyal member who backed his governorship ambition with visible passion.
“A devastating loss”
Aondoakaa said Tyonor’s energy and enthusiasm for the 2027 campaign showed in the way he worked with other party members. The statement says Tyonor shared the collective vision of a better Benue and stayed involved from the early consultations through to the present campaign.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said the loss was all the harder to bear because of Tyonor’s youth and his organizational skill. He said the death had ended a promising life prematurely.
Condolences to family and Ukum
Aondoakaa offered his sympathy to Tyonor’s immediate family, praying for strength and comfort as they come to terms with the loss. He also extended his condolences to the entire PDP family in Benue, singling out members and supporters in Ukum Local Government Area.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for comfort for everyone mourning him. The statement did not describe how the accident happened or announce burial plans.
A campaign under way
Tyonor died while the 2027 race in Benue was heating up. Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP’s consensus candidate and later collected his certificate of return in Abuja. He is expected to face Governor Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose own warnings to rivals were covered in our report “Benue Is Not Rivers, I’m Not Fubara”.
Road safety concerns
The accident adds to a long list of road tragedies nationwide. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reports that crashes rose 9.2 per cent in 2025 to 10,446, with 5,289 deaths. Riders and drivers can read the corps’ guidance on its official website, especially for night travel.
Daily Talk will update this report when more details emerge. For continuing coverage of the Benue race and the national build-up to polling day, visit our Politics section.
