Na big political gist dey ground for Benue State as former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, don officially resign from All Progressives Congress. The man wey be former Minister of Justice drop am for statement wey im sign personally on Sunday, make im resignation take effect from March 28. Na for Makurdi im give journalists the gist, and e don cause plenty talk up and down.
Before im comot, Aondoakaa na one of the top governorship aspirants for APC inside Benue. Im dey eye the 2027 governorship seat, but now im don decide to leave the ruling party. Im talk say im decision follow careful thinking and plenty consultations with im family, political associates, and supporters. “Prevailing circumstances make am necessary for me to take this step,” im yarn, adding say na for the interest of im people and democratic values.
For the statement, Aondoakaa thank President Bola Tinubu for im “visionary leadership” and the support wey Benue State don enjoy under im administration. Im assure Tinubu say im loyalty to the Renewed Hope Agenda no go change. Im also appreciate Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for im leadership for APC family for Benue. “I acknowledge im role for shaping the political landscape of our dear state,” Aondoakaa talk.
But the big question wey dey everybody mouth na: wetin be Aondoakaa next move? Im no talk im next political destination for the statement, but im call im supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and steadfast. “A new direction wey go aim to salvage and reposition Benue for the best interest of our people go be communicated in due course,” im promise.
Sources close to the matter dey yarn say Aondoakaa eye dey Peoples Democratic Party. Na after im attend PDP National Convention and meet with former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom for Abuja, im decide to resign from APC. The meeting with Ortom na strong sign say im dey plan to join opposition party ahead of 2027 governorship election.
This no be Aondoakaa first time to dey move between parties. Im bin dey for PDP before, serve as AGF under late President Umar Yar'Adua administration. For 2014, im comot PDP, talk say im dey retire from partisan politics. But by 2015, im join APC. Now, after im lose APC governorship primary for 2022 to current Governor Hyacinth Alia, im dey look for new platform.
Political observers dey watch the matter well well. Some dey talk say Aondoakaa resignation fit open door for other APC governorship aspirants wey dey eye PDP. Legal practitioner Sebastine Hon, SAN, na another aspirant wey sources say fit follow Aondoakaa move to PDP. The 2027 governorship race for Benue dey shape up to be serious contest.
For now, Aondoakaa supporters dey wait for im next announcement. The political atmosphere for Benue dey hot, and this move fit change plenty calculations for both APC and PDP. As 2027 dey come closer, every step by big politicians like Aondoakaa go dey matter plenty.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
