Benue 2027: Andrew Aba withdraws from NDC guber race, rejects deputy governorship offer

Engineer Andrew Aba has withdrawn from the race for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship ticket for the 2027 Benue State election, citing the party’s zoning arrangement which he said favoured aspirants from Zone A.

Aba announced his decision in a statement following a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and stakeholders held in Abuja on July 29 to resolve lingering issues surrounding the party’s governorship primary.

According to him, the meeting was attended by members of the NWC, Benue State Working Committee, party elders, governorship aspirants, candidates for other elective positions and other stakeholders.

He recalled that the NDC governorship primary conducted in Makurdi on May 29 was marred by irregularities, describing the exercise as “a complete charade,” which necessitated weeks of consultations and reconciliation.

Aba said it became evident during the Abuja meeting that the party’s zoning arrangement would favour Zone A, where Governor Hyacinth Alia hails from, instead of Zone C, from which he comes.

“In view of this, I honourably took the decision to withdraw from the governorship race so that the party could have a clearer path in selecting among the three aspirants from the Zone A Senatorial District,” he said.

He disclosed that following his withdrawal, the party’s National Chairman informed stakeholders that the final decision on which of the remaining aspirants would emerge as the party’s governorship candidate and be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be communicated in due course.

Aba also revealed that he declined an offer to serve as the party’s deputy governorship candidate, insisting that his ambition had always been to serve Benue as governor.

“I entered this race with a dream,” he said.

“I made my declaration and commenced consultations in August last year, making it eleven solid months of consistency and persistence in pursuit of a new brand of governance for Benue State.”

The former aspirant maintained that his desire to provide purposeful leadership, tackle insecurity, improve infrastructure, create jobs and ensure prudent management of public resources remained the driving force behind his aspiration.

He further stated that he funded his governorship ambition entirely from his personal resources without the support of any political godfather or financier.

“I had no political godfather or financial sponsor because I firmly believe that governance at this stage of our state’s development should not be dictated by godfatherism,” he said.

Aba thanked his supporters within the NDC, former supporters from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and others across political divides for standing by him throughout the 11-month journey.

He urged them not to be discouraged by his withdrawal but to continue advocating for credible leadership in Benue State and Nigeria.

“I remain committed to this cause and will continue to do everything within my capacity to contribute to its actualisation,” he said.