By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, and former Governor Samuel Ortom as a “terrible combination” capable of plunging the state into further crisis if allowed to return to power.
Kula made the assertion on Friday during a press briefing at the Government House, Makurdi, alleging that the PDP was seeking to use Ortom as a political godfather and Aondoakaa as its governorship candidate to regain control of the state.
He argued that both Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, and Ortom had been entrusted with public responsibilities in the past but failed to meet the expectations of the people.
According to Kula, Aondoakaa, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation, was saddled with the responsibility of upholding the rule of law but allegedly failed in the discharge of his duties.
He also questioned Aondoakaa’s record in the private sector, particularly his Miva Rice Production Company, alleging that the company had failed to make any meaningful impact in the state.
Kula said Benue people would not entrust their mandate to individuals he accused of having failed in previous responsibilities.
“Benue people will not, and will never entrust this kind of person with their mandate,” he said.
The governor’s spokesman also dismissed what he described as criticism and alleged conspiracy against Governor Hyacinth Alia, saying the administration’s achievements were visible across the state.
He said, “Their faceless criticism and conspiracy against the transformative Reverend gentleman, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, will not stand the test of time because his impacts are visibly felt across the state.”
Kula further alleged that Ortom’s political activities regarding the 2027 presidential election were inconsistent, claiming that although the former governor had publicly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, he was allegedly working underground for Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
He said the Alia administration had achieved in three years what the previous administration could not accomplish in eight years.
“The things Ortom was unable to do in eight years, Governor Alia has done in three years, and by the time he completes his eight years, Benue will become a mega city that will be envied by all states of the federation,” Kula said.
He added that development projects executed by the Alia administration across the 23 local government areas and various sectors of the state were unprecedented.
Kula further criticised the Ortom administration, alleging that it left little evidence of development even in the former governor’s home local government area, Guma
