PDP Reaffirms Confidence in Aondoakaa, Says Disqualification Claims Have No Legal Basis

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has reaffirmed its absolute confidence in its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, describing allegations questioning his eligibility as a campaign of mischief without any legal or political foundation.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Bright Antyo, the party said it had observed what it described as a sustained campaign of misinformation by political opponents aimed at discrediting its candidate. According to the PDP, the latest claim that Aondoakaa is constitutionally disqualified from contesting the governorship is baseless, legally unfounded and a reflection of the growing acceptance he enjoys across Benue State.
The party maintained that Chief Aondoakaa remains fully qualified under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to contest and hold the office of Governor if elected. It noted that the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice served the country with distinction and has never been convicted of any offence or indicted by any court, tribunal or administrative panel that could disqualify him from seeking elective office.
The PDP further recalled that Aondoakaa contested the party’s governorship primary in 2015 and later participated in the APC governorship primary in 2022 alongside Governor Hyacinth Alia and others. It stated that no individual or political party challenged his eligibility during those electoral processes because there was no legal basis to do so. The party added that although Aondoakaa challenged the outcome of the 2022 APC primary up to the Court of Appeal, he later chose not to proceed to the Supreme Court following the intervention of the party leadership.
According to the PDP, it is surprising that those who remained silent during previous elections are now raising what it described as imaginary legal obstacles after Aondoakaa emerged as its governorship candidate. The party cited Section 285(14)(9) of the Constitution, which provides that any pre-election matter must be filed within 14 days of the event being challenged, stressing that the constitutional timeline is mandatory and once it expires, the courts lose jurisdiction over such matters.
The party stated that Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP governorship candidate after the party’s primary election held on May 24, 2026, adding that the constitutional window for filing any pre-election challenge against his nomination has since elapsed. It argued that no amount of media campaigns or political commentary can revive a matter that has become statute-barred under the Constitution.
The PDP also referenced Sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution, saying they clearly spell out the qualifications and disqualifications for the office of governor and that no individual or group can create additional grounds outside those constitutional provisions. It urged members of the public to disregard what it described as false narratives and character assassination against its candidate.
The party maintained that the 2027 governorship election would be decided by the people of Benue State through the ballot rather than through propaganda or speculative legal arguments. It advised political opponents to focus on presenting their programmes to the electorate instead of engaging in what it termed manufactured allegations.
Reaffirming its support for Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, the PDP said it remains convinced that he possesses the integrity, competence, experience and constitutional qualifications required to provide purposeful leadership for Benue State. It added that neither the party nor its candidate would be distracted from presenting their vision for improved security, economic recovery, agricultural transformation, industrial development and responsive governance ahead of the 2027 election.