Benue State: APC and PDP Forge Alliance for 2027 Leadership

Political heavyweights from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State have agreed to form a cooperative partnership with the stated objective of fostering competent and reliable leadership in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

This development was revealed by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Aondakaa (SAN), on Sunday in Makurdi. Speaking to reporters at the residence of former Governor Samuel Ortom, who was hosting former appointees, Aondakaa clarified the nature of the agreement.

Aondakaa, who is also an APC governorship aspirant, emphasized that the arrangement is not a merger but a collaborative effort driven by a common interest in advancing effective governance, irrespective of partisan affiliations.

He explained that the alliance involves the APC in Benue, with Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as a key figure, and the PDP, with the primary goal of securing quality leadership for the state and the broader North Central region.

"We are working with the PDP under the leadership of the APC. Our party leaders have established an alliance both nationally and here in Benue. Our collective direction is towards ensuring good leadership for the state," Aondakaa stated.

Aondakaa further elaborated that such strategic alliances between political entities are a common practice globally and do not automatically signify a merger. He noted that these collaborations often stem from shared objectives at various levels of governance.

The objective of this partnership is to guarantee that the individual who assumes leadership in Benue in 2027 possesses the necessary competence and integrity to govern effectively, regardless of their political party.

When questioned about the possibility of the alliance leading to a consensus candidate for governor, Aondakaa indicated that such decisions would rest with the party leadership at both the state and national tiers.

He urged party members and supporters to actively communicate the rationale behind this collaboration within their communities. He cautioned that resisting such strategic cooperation could potentially expose the state to future political challenges.

This move suggests a potential shift in the political landscape of Benue as the state gears up for the 2027 elections, amidst ongoing internal disagreements within both the APC and PDP in the state.