The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has described as “fabricated” a report linking him with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Samuel Ortom and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in an alleged political deal ahead of the 2027 elections.

Aondoakaa’s Media Assistant, James Ian, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the governorship candidate had no involvement in any meeting, negotiation or agreement designed to support Atiku’s presidential ambition.

https://voxnews.com.ng/aondoakaa-survives-political-storms-benue-2027-governorship/

The statement accused unnamed political actors of using unverified claims to create confusion around Aondoakaa’s political activities and candidature.

It also questioned the credibility of the organisation cited as the source of the report, describing the purported “International Centre for Transparency Nigeria” as a group whose existence and activities could not, according to the statement, be independently established.

The media aide said the publication failed to provide a communiqué, documentary evidence, names of participants or any verifiable record showing that the alleged meeting took place.

‘No Evidence of Secret Political Deal’

The Aondoakaa camp said the allegation was particularly questionable because the publication itself reportedly acknowledged that the claims had not been independently verified.

According to the statement, an allegation could not acquire credibility simply because it was presented in a lengthy publication.

It challenged the authors of the report to answer basic questions about the alleged political meeting.

“When and where did the alleged meeting take place? Who convened it? Who attended it? What documentary evidence exists to support the claim?” the statement asked.

Aondoakaa’s camp also rejected the portrayal of the PDP candidate as a political intermediary between Ortom, Akume and Atiku.

‘Aondoakaa Focused on Benue’

According to the statement, Aondoakaa’s priority ahead of the 2027 governorship election is to build a broad coalition of Benue people irrespective of political, ethnic or religious differences.

It said his proposed governance agenda would focus on security, economic recovery, agricultural development, employment generation and responsible governance.

The statement argued that political consultations should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of secret presidential alliances.

Ortom’s G-5 Position Recalled

The media office further recalled Ortom’s role in the G-5 governors’ opposition to Atiku during the 2023 presidential election.

It said the former Benue governor had publicly maintained that power should rotate to the South after eight consecutive years of a northern presidency.

The statement said Ortom’s position was a matter of public record and questioned the basis for the alleged political arrangement.

On Akume, it added that mentioning the SGF’s name alongside other prominent political figures did not constitute evidence of a political agreement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no meeting or arrangement involving Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, Chief Samuel Ortom and Senator George Akume to work for the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. No such arrangement exists,” the statement declared.

‘Political Anxiety Behind False Reports’

Aondoakaa’s camp alleged that some political elements in Benue State were increasingly resorting to fabricated stories and purported alliances as the 2027 elections draw closer.

It further claimed that repeated attempts to associate Aondoakaa with controversies since his emergence as PDP governorship candidate could be linked to concerns over his political strength.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81643

The media office urged the promoters of the report to produce credible evidence instead of relying on speculation.