A gaggle underneath auspices of Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (BAGA) has alleged political association involving distinguished political figures to affect the result of the 2027 Benue State governorship election towards governor Hyacinth Alia.
The group claimed that there’s ongoing secret political negotiations involving Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and former governor, Samuel Ortom to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).
In a press release issued by its President, Chief John Terfa, the group alleged that Wike was concerned in discussions with Akume, and Ortom over a proposed political alliance reportedly often known as the “Rainbow Coalition”.
BAGA additional claimed that Wike was looking for political management over 5 states underneath the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a part of the proposed association to ship President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, “with Benue reportedly among the states being considered to hand over to Wike through the Rainbow Coalition”
The group additionally stated the alleged discussions have been geared toward securing the emergence of former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, as a most well-liked governorship candidate in Benue underneath the proposed coalition.
BAGA questioned why political actors from exterior Benue ought to have a decisive affect over who governs the state, arguing that the selection of governor should stay with the voters.
“Benue is not a political commodity to be traded behind closed doors in Abuja. The people of the state must have the final say on who governs them and the direction their state takes,” the group stated.
The organisation alleged that Wike had held a collection of conferences with Akume and Ortom in latest weeks to debate the reported association.
BAGA rejected what it described as an try to find out Benue’s political management by way of negotiations amongst highly effective people, insisting that Governor Hyacinth Alia ought to be allowed to finish his constitutionally permitted tenure, if re-elected in 2027.
The group stated it believed Alia’s administration was performing nicely in governance and growth, including that political alliances shouldn’t be used to undermine the democratic decisions of the voters.
BAGA argued that any coalition looking for to affect the 2027 election ought to be primarily based on clear rules, competence, accountability and the pursuits of the individuals, quite than private ambition or political bargaining in Abuja.
The group additionally challenged political actors looking for the help of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue their ambitions with out attaching situations that might compromise the democratic decisions of the voters.
“Benue people are politically conscious. They will not surrender their future to a coalition of political interests formed without their consent,” the assertion stated.
The assertion known as on voters, civil society teams and political stakeholders to stay vigilant and defend the state’s democratic rights forward of the 2027 elections.
“Whatever colour it is given; Rainbow, PDP or otherwise, the people will reject any arrangement that threatens their collective interests and development,” BAGA stated.
“Benue is not Rivers and we will not allow Wike from Rivers State to choose a governor for us in Benue State,” the group added.
Reacting, the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa’s Media Consultant, Dr Terver Akase, dismissed the allegations stating that there was no such conferences.
According to Akase, “Whoever manufactured that lie from the pit of hell is surely panicking ahead of 2027 because there is no such conspiracy. There is no such a discussion. Chief Michael Aondoakaa has offered himself to Benue people to be voted on the strengths of his experience, his capacity, and the ideas he is putting out there for the people of Benue to trust him”
“So he can come in and correct the anomalies that are going on currently in the government of Benue State. Aondoakaa is getting enormous popularity. Benue people are loving his project. Many more people are joining his train. And that is sending jitters to the camp of those who are afraid of his candidacy. So all of these conspiracy theories are targeted at making the people not to believe in his project. So those who are manufacturing those lies are just jittery”
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