Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has taken his campaign to unseat Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to the Benue diaspora community in Plateau State. Aondoakaa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, presented his ambition as a collective movement to restore security, promote ethnic unity, and reposition the state's economy. He made the appeal at a gathering organised by Benue Diaspora Plateau for MKA 2027.
Aondoakaa's strategy recognises that Benue indigenes living in Plateau, Abuja, Lagos, and other parts of Nigeria maintain strong connections with their ancestral communities. Through family relationships, community associations, professional groups, and traditional institutions, they can influence political decisions and mobilise support among eligible voters in their home state. The Plateau community offers an important political constituency for Aondoakaa, who seeks to turn their networks, resources, and connections into a formidable political mobilisation platform.
Addressing the gathering, Aondoakaa appealed to Benue people to look beyond political affiliations and ethnic differences, insisting that the state's collective interests should take precedence over individual political ambitions. He promised an inclusive administration that would give minority ethnic groups a sense of belonging, while recognising the historical and cultural contributions of the major ethnic groups. Aondoakaa identified insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting the state, promising to establish a common security arrangement that would make attacks on any community the concern of all 23 local government areas.
Aondoakaa proposed establishing a Benue Security Network and a rapid-response mechanism involving youths across the local government areas to respond to attacks and protect vulnerable communities. He also promised to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities and farms, arguing that restoring security would help revive agricultural production in a state widely regarded as Nigeria's food basket. Aondoakaa said Benue's agricultural capacity should be transformed into an economic and political advantage in the country's affairs.
On governance, Aondoakaa accused the Alia administration of mismanaging public resources and questioned figures contained in an audited account reportedly published by the state government. He promised to strengthen accountability, restore the responsibilities of tax collectors, and invest in education, healthcare, rural roads, and employment. Aondoakaa also pledged to give women greater opportunities through political appointments and cooperative societies.
Aondoakaa urged Benue people to protect what he described as their remaining strong voice at the federal level, referring to Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He praised former governor Samuel Ortom for his contributions to protecting the state during his administration. Aondoakaa criticised the slogan, "No Alia, no Benue", arguing that no individual should be presented as indispensable to the existence of the state.
Aondoakaa commended individuals who resigned from government positions to identify with his political movement, including a former Director-General of the state's Social Investment Programme. He described their decision as evidence that the campaign was attracting people willing to sacrifice for the state's progress. The PDP candidate's appeal to the Benue diaspora community is seen as a strategic move to build support beyond the state's geographical boundaries.
Key points
- Aondoakaa's campaign focuses on restoring security, promoting ethnic unity, and repositioning the state's economy.
- The former AGF promises to establish a common security arrangement and a rapid-response mechanism to protect vulnerable communities.
- Aondoakaa accuses the Alia administration of mismanaging public resources and promises to strengthen accountability and invest in key sectors.
