BENUE 2023: AONDOAKAA DECLARES GOVERNORSHIP AMBITION IN MINDA …my ambition not on do-or-die basis
Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, addressing MINDA political Stakeholders.
Dam Obed,
2nd March, 2022 –
The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN declared, on Saturday, that his ambition to become the State Governor in 2023 is not on do-or-die basis.
He made the declaration at the residence of Chief Akange Audu, where elders and youths of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the intermediate areas, comprising of Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov (MINDA) assembled.
Speaking to the members, Aondoakaa claimed that he was following his aspiration as a response to his desire to serve the state, saying: “I am not running for governorship on a do-or-die basis. My ambition is not inordinate. I am running because I want to serve the state in dire need of a governor who can handle the enormous problems we have.
“I am not here to discuss zoning, but if I must, the zoning of the gubernatorial seat to Vandeikya by PDP under the circumstances they created has justified Kwande in the debate over whether or not Jechira had a share. After the five blocs of the Tiv intermediate areas have produced a governor, we should go back to where we started,” Aondoakaa remarked.
He appealed to MINDA to consider his ambition by looking at the development-driven nature of Kwande people, using the late Aper Aku as an example.
“The people of MINDA are generous. They make their land available to anyone who wants to do business in the area and develop it. If Taraku Mills, which was established by a Kwande governor, was fully operational, MINDA people should be the most comfortable in the state.
“Soya beans and rice farming are highly lucrative, and all of MINDA’s land is quite productive for them. Farm produce such as Soya beans will generate money for the people solely because of Taraku Mills. As a Kwande son, I should look into what my father did and I understand the peculiarity of MINDA land in the scheme of development in Benue state. I own a rice factory in this land that has promoted rice farming. When it comes to development, we have a working connection with MINDA. Prof. J.T Orkar, one of Aper Aku’s commissioners, was important in his success as Commissioner for Works,” he claimed.
If elected, the aspirant promised to focus on sustainable development efforts, particularly in the agricultural sector, which the state prides itself, return people in internally displaced camps to their ancestral homes in six months, set a genuine agenda for the state’s transformation, and review the Anti-open Grazing and Ranches Establishment law to cater for compensation to farmers.
Hon. Terngu Shawon, Chief Major (Rtd), J.O Mayange, Elder Doodi Inji, the Chairmen of APC in Kwande LGA, Hon. Terdoo Kenti and Ushongo LGA, Hon. Ukor Mteorga, and several other kinsmen who accompanied the aspirant earlier in the event expressed confidence in Aondoakaa to wrestle power from the ruling party and raise a bar from the late Aper Aku’s unequalled performance.
Chief Akange Audu, Prof. J.T Kpamor, Chief Godwin Ikerave, Sir Wilfred Duenya, Dr. Emmanuel Shima, and Hon. Mrs Margaret Shija, among others, spoke on behalf of MINDA, extolling Chief Aondoakaa’s rare qualities and uncommon disposition to promote the interest of Benue people, and encouraged him to continue his quest to become governor of the state in 2023.
The formal handover of the Governorship contender to the people of MINDA by his kinsmen, led by the APC caucus Chairman in Ushongo, Chief Major J.O Mayange, was the highlight of the event.
