The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, has said the 2027 governorship election will give residents the opportunity to decide whether Governor Hyacinth Alia deserves another term in office.
Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, expressed confidence that the incumbent could be defeated at the poll.
He spoke on Monday while addressing journalists in Makurdi, where he dismissed the belief that sitting governors in Benue had never lost re-election bids.
According to him, a second term is not guaranteed by law, as the Constitution provides for an initial four-year tenure, with any additional four years dependent on the choice of voters.
“The law does not give a governor eight years. It gives a governor four years. The other four years are what the people give you,” he said.
Aondoakaa attributed his confidence in defeating the incumbent administration to what he described as limited access to the governor, rising insecurity and uneven distribution of development across the state.
The PDP candidate also stressed the importance of accessibility in determining whether political leaders retain the confidence of the electorate.
He said previous governors who secured re-election benefited from maintaining close relationships with the people, adding that citizens wanted leaders who were accessible and responsive to their concerns.
Aondoakaa urged political office holders to remain available to their constituents and create an environment where citizens feel valued and welcomed.
He maintained that the outcome of the 2027 governorship election would ultimately be determined by the people of Benue, urging voters to assess the performance of the Alia administration before deciding whether to renew its mandate.
