Samuel Ortom rejects rumors of replacing Benue PDP candidate Michael Aondoakaa

Former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom has publicly denied social‑media reports that he and other PDP leaders were planning to replace the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with Dr Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. Ortom said the meeting referenced in the rumors, which also included Senate Minority Leader Patrick Abba Moro and prominent Benue stakeholders such as Chief Simon Shango, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher, Engr Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan, was intended to build a broad strategic alliance for the state’s benefit, not to discuss any change to the candidacy. He emphasized that Aondoakaa remains the duly nominated PDP candidate and enjoys full support from the party’s leadership. Ortom urged party members and the public to disregard the misinformation, warning that false reports could create confusion ahead of the 2027 election.