Benue PDP rejects reports claiming Aondoakaa is barred from 2027 gov'ship race

By Johnson Arua

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has reaffirmed its confidence in its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), dismissing claims that he is constitutionally barred from contesting the election describing it ad unfounded and politically motivated.

The party said the allegations being circulated by political opponents were part of a campaign of misinformation intended to tarnish Aondoakaa's image ahead of the 2027 governorship poll.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Benue State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Bright Antyo, described the claims as "legally bankrupt" and insisted that Aondoakaa remains fully qualified under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to seek the office of governor.

According to Antyo, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has never been convicted of any offence or found guilty by any court or tribunal in a manner that would disqualify him from holding public office.

He said, "For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states unequivocally that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, remains eminently qualified to contest the 2027 governorship election and to hold the office of Governor of Benue State, if elected by the people."

The spokesman recalled that Aondoakaa contested the PDP governorship primary in 2015 and later sought the APC governorship ticket in 2022 alongside Governor Hyacinth Alia, noting that no individual or political party challenged his eligibility on either occasion.

He argued that the absence of any legal challenge during those electoral cycles showed there was no constitutional basis for the claims now being made against the PDP candidate.

Antyo further maintained that even if anyone intended to challenge Aondoakaa's nomination, the constitutional deadline for filing such a pre-election matter had expired.

Quoting Section 285(14)(9) of the Constitution, he said pre-election disputes must be filed within 14 days of the action being challenged, stressing that Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP governorship candidate on May 24, 2026, and that the constitutional window for any legal challenge had long closed.

"The constitutional timeline is mandatory, immutable and jurisdictional. Once the 14-day period expires, every court in Nigeria is stripped of jurisdiction to entertain such claims," Antyo stated.

The PDP also cited Sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution, saying they comprehensively define the qualifications and disqualifications for governorship candidates and leave no room for individuals or political parties to create additional conditions outside the law.

The party urged members of the public to disregard what it described as false propaganda and character assassination, insisting that the 2027 governorship election would be decided by the electorate through the ballot box.

Reaffirming its support for Aondoakaa, the PDP said it remained convinced that he possesses the integrity, experience and leadership capacity required to address Benue State's security, economic and development challenges, adding that no amount of political propaganda would distract the party from its campaign ahead of the election.