The political atmosphere in Benue State has continued to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissing claims that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, played a role in producing its governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN).
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In a statement signed by the Benue State PDP Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the party described reports linking Senator Akume to the emergence of Aondoakaa as “false, speculative and politically motivated.”
The PDP maintained that Aondoakaa emerged through the party’s established democratic process, stressing that no external political figure influenced the outcome of its governorship primary.
According to the party, portraying Senator Akume as having the capacity to determine who becomes the candidate of another political party undermines the credibility of the PDP and the integrity of its internal democratic structures.
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The opposition party also dismissed allegations that Senator Akume and some prominent politicians were sponsoring efforts to destabilise the Benue State Government, insisting that no evidence had been presented to substantiate the claims.
PDP Raises Governance Concerns
Beyond responding to the allegations, the PDP used the opportunity to criticise Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, accusing it of concentrating more on political battles than addressing the pressing challenges confronting the state.
The party argued that despite increased federal allocations to states following the removal of fuel subsidy, Benue residents were yet to witness development projects that reflect the level of available resources.
It alleged that insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and declining public confidence remain major concerns requiring greater government attention.
The statement also questioned the planning of the High Level Junction underpass project in Makurdi, claiming that recurring flooding around the facility had raised concerns among residents.
Allegations of Political Propaganda
The PDP further alleged that the recent reports targeting Senator Akume and its governorship candidate mirrored narratives already being circulated by supporters of the Benue State Government.
It claimed that rather than responding to public concerns over governance, the administration had resorted to creating political distractions and attacking perceived opponents.
According to the party, Governor Alia’s greatest challenge is not the opposition but the expectations of Benue people regarding security, economic development, agriculture, infrastructure and accountable governance.
Focus Shifts to 2027
With political activities gradually intensifying ahead of the next governorship election, the PDP said it remains focused on presenting what it described as a credible alternative for Benue voters.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles, promising to campaign on issues of security, economic growth, transparency and good governance.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government had not issued an official response to the PDP’s latest claims as of the time of filing this report.
Full Statement
GOVERNOR ALIA SHOULD FACE HIS FAILURES AND LEAVE AKUME OUT OF PDP MATTERS
The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has been drawn to a mischievous and apparently sponsored report published in Sahara Reporters alleging that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume is plotting to impose Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as Governor of Benue State in 2027.
Ordinarily, such a publication, built entirely on speculation, anonymous claims, recycled propaganda and unsubstantiated allegations, would not deserve a response. However, because it seeks to malign respected personalities and insult the integrity of the PDP, it has become necessary to set the records straight.
First, the report is an insult to the Peoples Democratic Party, the oldest surviving political party in Nigeria, a party that has democratically produced presidents, governors, members of the National Assembly and State Assemblies, as well as local government chairmen and councilors for nearly three decades.
To suggest that Chief Aondoakaa emerged as PDP’s governorship candidate through the influence of Senator George Akume is to insult every leader, stakeholder and member of the PDP in Benue State who participated in the process that produced the governorship candidate among many others. Chief Aondoakaa did not emerge through the sponsorship of Senator Akume or any external political actor. He emerged through the internal democratic processes of the PDP.
The sponsors of this report apparently believe that every political party operates like their camp where candidates were handpicked and imposed on the majority of party members in phantom primaries that were later declared invalid by the national leadership of their party. The PDP is reputed for internal democracy and due process.
Secondly, it is equally insulting to Senator George Akume, the leader of APC in Benue State and indeed North Central Nigeria, a former Governor of Benue State, former Minister, distinguished Senator for three terms and currently Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to suggest that he has abandoned his constitutional responsibilities to become involved in determining who emerges as candidate of another political party.
The claim that Senator Akume is supporting the PDP is particularly amusing. If that were true, why are some of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s most trusted political associates, appointees and supporters abandoning his camp in droves and gravitating towards the Akume political structure and other political parties, including the PDP?
The truth is that Governor Alia has failed to manage his political camp, a development that accounts for the mass defections that have hit the camp. He is also presiding over a government facing increasing dissatisfaction across Benue State because of its inability to fulfill many of the promises he made to the people.
After benefiting from unprecedented federal allocations arising from fuel subsidy removal, Benue people expected transformational projects and tangible improvements in security, agriculture, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Instead, what they have largely witnessed are endless propaganda, political vendettas, abandoned promises and projects that raise more questions than answers.
The so-called underpass at High Level Junction in Makurdi remains a glaring example. The underpass has become synonymous with flooding concerns in the area due to the apparent absence of an effective drainage solution. What was presented as a flagship achievement has become a symbol of poor planning.
It is therefore not surprising that those who cannot defend their abysmal performance have resorted to manufacturing political enemies.
Governor Alia should spend less time sponsoring propaganda and more time studying what his colleagues across the country are doing with the enormous resources made available to states following the removal of fuel subsidy. Governors such as Abdullahi Sule, Hope Uzodimma, Umar Bago Alex Otti, among others, have utilized increased revenues to embark on major infrastructure projects, expand development programmes, improve public services and aggressively confront security challenges in their respective states.
Benue people expected similar results after the unprecedented inflow of federal allocations to the state. Unfortunately, rather than showcasing landmark achievements commensurate with the resources available to him, Governor Alia appears more interested in political warfare, media attacks and the manufacturing of imaginary enemies. The people of Benue State need explanations for the utilization of public funds, not endless propaganda designed to distract attention from the government’s shortcomings.
On the allegations concerning the Zaki-Biam compensation matter, Nigerians are aware that legal disputes, appeals and negotiations involving judgments against governments often span years and involve multiple institutions, courts and administrations.
The attempt to reduce a complex legal matter to a simplistic narrative blaming one individual is dishonest and intellectually fraudulent.
More importantly, it is instructive that the same allegations contained in the Sahara Reporters publication are identical to the talking points that have for days been circulated by appointees and supporters of Governor Alia.
The coincidence is too striking to ignore. The language is the same. The accusations are the same. The political objective is the same. The desperation is the same.
Benue people can therefore draw their own conclusions about the likely sponsors of this latest propaganda enterprise.
The allegation that Senator Akume, Emmanuel Jime and others are funding PDP candidates to impeach Governor Alia is perhaps the most ridiculous claim in the entire report.
Where is the evidence?
Who provided the funds?
Which candidates received them?
What transactions support this allegation?
None.
The authors merely assembled rumours, wrapped them in anonymous sources and presented same as facts.
It is crass political blackmail.
Governor Alia and his supporters should understand a simple truth: the growing challenge confronting his administration is not Senator Akume, the PDP, Emmanuel Jime or Chief Michael Aondoakaa.
The challenge is the poor record of his own government.
The challenge is insecurity that continues to displace communities.
The challenge is farmers who cannot safely return to their lands.
The challenge is disappointed youths who expected jobs and opportunities.
The challenge is Benue people who are asking what became of the enormous resources that have accrued to the state under Alia administration.
The challenge is the widening gap between promises and performance.
Since the emergence of Chief Aondoakaa as PDP gubernatorial candidate, Governor Alia and his supporters have gone into panic mode, manufacturing all forms of falsehood to tarnish his reputation, knowing that the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice can defeat him in an election, any day and time.
No amount of propaganda against Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, will change these realities.
No amount of blackmail will erase public dissatisfaction.
No sponsored publication can stop the democratic aspirations of the people of Benue State.
As 2027 approaches, Governor Alia and his handlers should leave conspiracy theories and spend more time explaining their stewardship to the people.
The PDP remains focused on offering Benue State credible leadership, practical solutions and a pathway to security, prosperity and accountable governance.
The era of blaming others for self-inflicted political wounds is rapidly coming to an end.
Signed:
Bright Yima Antyo
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Benue State
July 19, 2026
