Former Benue State governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom has rejected reports claiming that he and other senior members of the party are considering replacing the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah.

Ortom described the reports circulating on social media as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented the purpose of a recent meeting involving some prominent Benue stakeholders.

In a statement released by his media assistant, Zege Terhide, the former governor said the report was a “mischievous” distortion of the discussions held during the meeting.

He explained that the meeting brought together himself, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, Aondoakaa and other notable Benue indigenes, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan.

According to Ortom, the gathering was part of broader consultations involving influential stakeholders, aimed at creating a strategic partnership that would serve the interests of Benue State.

He firmly denied that the issue of changing the PDP governorship candidate featured in the discussions.

“At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda,” Ortom said.

The former governor said there was nothing unusual about political figures consulting with stakeholders, noting that such engagements were part of the democratic process.

He consequently criticised those attempting to portray the meeting as a secret political arrangement.

“It is, therefore, mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it,” he said.

Ortom further explained that engagements involving politicians and influential individuals should not automatically be viewed as evidence of hidden political schemes.

“Political consultations and engagements across party lines are neither strange nor secret conspiracies, particularly when they are driven by the larger interest of the people,” he stated.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the 2027 PDP ticket, Ortom made it clear that Aondoakaa remained the party’s candidate for the Benue governorship election.

“Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election,” Ortom declared.

He said Aondoakaa continued to enjoy the backing and confidence of the PDP leadership and members across the state.

Ortom also expressed optimism about Aondoakaa’s prospects if elected, pointing to his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges confronting Benue.

According to the former governor, the PDP candidate had the capacity to provide effective leadership and drive improvements in critical areas, including security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

He warned those behind the alleged replacement story to stop circulating what he described as fabricated claims capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party and among Aondoakaa’s supporters.

“Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements,” he cautioned.

Ortom called on PDP members, Aondoakaa’s supporters and other residents of Benue to disregard the report and concentrate on the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the controversy would not derail the PDP’s efforts to unite stakeholders and build a strong coalition of Benue people ahead of the election.

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A group under the auspices of Fulani Youths Movement, FYM, has issued a stern warning to ethnic youths in Plateau State that they will no longer sit back and watch attacks on herdsmen. 

The FYM, which gave the warning after its inaugural meeting in Jos on Friday, stated that the rate at which Fulani herders were attacked and killed by ethnic militia gangs in several communities in the state, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas, was becoming worrisome, hence the need for the warning.

The warning, which was contained in a communique signed by the group’s convener, Adams Jouro and made available to DAILY POST, noted that despite several media reports of Fulani people attacking, killing and destroying farmlands across the state, the reverse was often the case as the herding communities had suffered more in the hands of locals. 

He added that contrary to reports pushed out to demonize the Fulani people, making them look like the aggressors in every act of violence in the state, they had lost hundreds of herders and thousands of cattle since the beginning of this year. 

“Contrary to biased media reports pushed out daily, the Fulani herding communities have suffered more in the hands of local ethnic gangs, especially the Berom Militias,” Jouro said. 

“Since the beginning of this year, we have lost hundreds of our people while thousands of cattle have either been killed or stolen, and every time these attacks happen, they are quick to blame Fulani people. 

“The story is the same in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa, Jos South, Mangu, and other parts of the state. What have we done to deserve this? 

“While we agree that there are criminal elements among our people, just like every tribe has such people, the attacks and killings of innocent herders and destruction of their livelihoods must end henceforth. 

“We will no longer sit back and watch innocent herders killed for the sins of a few criminals. 

“By this communique, we call on the Plateau State government and the security agencies to set up independent investigation panels to determine the extent of damage caused to the Fulani communities in the state with a view to getting justice for them. 

“For now, we say enough is enough,” the statement said.