From Msuur Akase, Makurdi
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has pledged that if elected in 2027, his administration will work with the private sector to create at least 100,000 jobs annually for young people across the state.
Aondoakaa, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, also vowed to tackle political thuggery by expanding economic opportunities for youths through cooperatives, entrepreneurship schemes and other empowerment initiatives designed to make them self-employed and financially independent.
He made the pledge at the weekend while addressing commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, who turned out in large numbers to welcome him back to Makurdi from Abuja, where he had undertaken political.
The riders converged at the Agan Toll Gate at the entrance to Makurdi and accompanied Aondoakaa into the state capital in a long procession.
The procession moved through major streets in Makurdi and culminated in a carnival-like gathering at his residence along George Akume Way, where the operators declared support for his 2027 governorship bid.
Addressing the gathering, Aondoakaa said the energy of Benue youths should be channelled to productive ventures rather than political violence and thuggery.
According to the former AGF,Young people need jobs, access to capital and opportunities to develop sustainable businesses, assuring that rather than to be recruited and used as instruments of political intimidation, government under his watch would create job opportunities for the youths.
He said his administration would encourage the formation of viable cooperatives through which young entrepreneurs, artisans, Okada riders, farmers and other groups could access financial support to establish or expand their businesses.
Aondoakaa further pledged to deliberately partner with the private sector in agriculture, agro-processing, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, construction, manufacturing, technology and services to stimulate investment and employment.
“Our target is to create not fewer than 100,000 jobs every year,” he stated.
He said the pledge aligns with jobs and enterprise as key priorities of his campaign agenda, promising to turn around agriculture, education, over whole security, healthcare ensure accountability governance.
The PDP candidate also spoke against what he described as the development of personality cults around political office holders, assuring that he would not permit supporters to adopt the slogan “No Aondoakaa, No Benue, as Benue belongs to its people and is greater than any individual occupying the office of governor.
According to the PDP governorship candidate, leadership should be about service to the people rather than elevating an individual above the state or its people.
The reception by motorcycle operators comes amid a series of engagements between Aondoakaa and political, professional and community groups ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with different groups in recent weeks publicly identifying with his candidature.