The internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened on Wednesday as two competing individuals were handed Certificates of Return as the party’s governorship candidates for the 2027 Benue State election.
Chief Michael Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, was presented with his certificate at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. He represents the faction allied with Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Oyije Ochaekiti Ogbenjuwa, and several state party leaders, Aondoakaa promised to reconcile the party and secure a victory in the upcoming contest.
Simultaneously, a separate group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki issued a different Certificate of Return to Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum. While the Wike-aligned faction held their event publicly at the Wadata Plaza, the location for the ceremony conducted by the Turaki-led group remains unconfirmed.
These conflicting events highlight the ongoing instability within the party as rival groups continue to battle for structural control. Stakeholders are now looking toward the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for clarity, as the commission has yet to release its official candidate list for the 2027 Benue governorship race.
