In an amazing turn of events, supporters of the APC in Kwande Local Government of Benue State have turned their back on an earlier declaration of support for former Attorney General Michael Kaase Aondoakaa in his bid for next year's governorship election. Aondoakaa, the candidate of the PDP is already fighting the battle of his political life over ineligibility to contest following an alleged life ban by Nigeria's Supreme Court from holding public office. He however insists that he is under no such ban. In addition to Aondoakaa's troubles, APC supporters from Kwande Local government who recently declared total support for him in his governorship bid have dumped the PDP candidate. The Mandate recalls that at an elaborate ceremony recently, people of the area across party lines declared support for Aondoakaa, noting that though the PDP candidate, he was their son from neighbouring Ushongu local government and expressed confidence that he will represent their interests in office. They had declared that Aondoakaa deserved to be governor so as to enable the area complete the tenure of Benue's first civilian governor late Aper Aku whose administration was truncated by the Muhammadu Buhari military coup in 1983. Recent developements however suggest that Kwande people have abandoned the embattled former Attorney-General. A communique issued after a well attended meeting by Kwande APC supporters October 4 declared that the party is looking up to His Excellency George Akume as APC leader in Benue State for political direction. The communique also declared Kwande APC's support for candidates contesting various elections but was silent on its choice for governor, thus marking a sharp deviation from the intermediate area's earlier declaration of support for Aondoakaa across party lines. Among others, the communique said: 1. The APC Kwande Chapter passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and resolved to mobilise and deliver the highest number of votes possible for him in Benue State in the 2027 Presidential Election. 2. The APC Kwande Chapter passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Senator George Akume, Leader of the APC in Benue State and the North-Central zone, and resolved to remain committed to his leadership and follow his political direction.

Posted: 1week ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026