Response to Prof. Leonard Shilgba Defends Chief Michael Aondoakaa, Calls for Equal Scrutiny in Benue Politics
A fresh response to Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba’s recent assessment of Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa has urged fairness, consistency, and objectivity in evaluating aspirants ahead of the 2027 Benue State governorship election.
The statement acknowledged Prof. Shilgba’s contribution to public discourse, describing open debate on governance, leadership, and accountability as essential to strengthening democracy. However, it argued that such scrutiny must be applied equally to all political actors, including the incumbent administration.
According to the response, Prof. Shilgba’s position as Chairman of the Governing Council of Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh—an appointment made by Governor Hyacinth Alia—naturally raises questions about impartiality when assessing individuals seeking to succeed the governor.
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The statement maintained that while the appointment does not invalidate Prof. Shilgba’s opinions, fairness requires him to subject Governor Alia’s administration to the same rigorous examination he applies to opposition figures.
Among the issues raised were the worsening security situation across parts of Benue State, the continued displacement of thousands of residents, the management of federal allocations and intervention funds, and the performance of local governments despite increased financial resources.
The response further argued that Prof. Shilgba acknowledged Chief Aondoakaa had not yet released his comprehensive development blueprint but nevertheless criticized the absence of policy details that are yet to be formally unveiled.
Describing the approach as premature, the statement likened it to reviewing a book before publication and faulting the author for chapters that have not been released.
It noted that Chief Aondoakaa has already outlined broad policy priorities through public engagements, including security, accountable governance, agriculture, job creation, education, healthcare, infrastructure, institutional reforms, justice, and the restoration of human dignity.
The response stressed that these broad principles are intended as foundational policy directions pending the release of a comprehensive manifesto.
On security, the statement argued that restoring peace remains the cornerstone of any meaningful development strategy, insisting that agriculture, industrialisation, investment, and economic growth cannot flourish while communiti
es continue to face insecurity.
It outlined Aondoakaa’s vision of restoring security, returning internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes, reopening farmlands, rebuilding confidence in public institutions, and creating an enabling environment for investors.
The response also addressed questions regarding Benue’s economic future, stating that agriculture remains the state’s strongest comparative advantage and should be transformed through agro-processing, value addition, food manufacturing, logistics, storage, and export-oriented production.
It further highlighted opportunities in solid minerals, renewable energy, digital governance, industrial parks, and internally generated revenue reforms as components expected to feature in Chief Aondoakaa’s detailed development blueprint.
On the Zaki-Biam compensation issue, the statement argued that Prof. Shilgba himself acknowledged that no court found Chief Aondoakaa personally liable for actions taken while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation.
It maintained that, as the nation’s chief law officer at the time, Aondoakaa was constitutionally obligated to defend the legal interests of the Federal Government and that such official responsibilities should not be interpreted as personal hostility toward affected communities.
The response concluded that Benue voters would ultimately judge candidates based on competence, experience, vision, and their capacity to restore security, revive agriculture, attract investment, create jobs, and rebuild public confidence in governance.
It added that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa’s record as a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), farmer, industrialist, and administrator would be evaluated alongside his full development blueprint once it is officially unveiled.
The statement urged Prof. Shilgba to apply the same level of scrutiny to the incumbent administration’s record, arguing that equal treatment of all political actors remains the true test of objectivity in democratic discourse.
