The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, has declared that the 2027 governorship election will provide voters with an opportunity to determine whether Governor Hyacinth Alia deserves a second term in office.
Aondoakaa, who expressed confidence that the incumbent governor could be defeated at the poll, made the assertion on Monday while speaking with journalists in Makurdi.
The former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice dismissed claims that an incumbent governor in Benue had never been defeated while seeking re-election, arguing that occupying the office for a second term was not an automatic right.
According to him, the Constitution guarantees a governor an initial four-year tenure, while another four years depends on the decision of the electorate.
“The law does not give a governor eight years. It gives a governor four years. The other four years are what the people give you,” he said.
The PDP candidate attributed his optimism about unseating the incumbent administration to what he described as inadequate access to the governor, worsening insecurity and an imbalance in the distribution of development across the state.
Aondoakaa argued that accessibility to the people had played an important role in the re-election of previous governors, stressing that citizens valued leaders who remained close to them.
He said political office holders must make themselves available to constituents and create an atmosphere where citizens feel recognised and welcome.
He maintained that the 2027 election would ultimately be determined by the people of Benue, urging voters to assess the performance of the incumbent administration before deciding whether to renew its mandate.