The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has dismissed claims circulating on social media and in some media reports alleging that its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), is barred by a Supreme Court judgment from holding public office.
In a statement issued by the party’s Benue State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the PDP described the allegations as false, politically motivated, and intended to distract the party and its candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to the statement, the party said the claims are part of a sustained campaign by political opponents to tarnish Aondoakaa’s reputation.
The party maintained that there is no constitutional or legal basis for the allegation, insisting that Aondoakaa remains qualified to contest the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP stated that Aondoakaa served as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice without any criminal conviction or judicial finding that would disqualify him from seeking elective office.
According to the statement, Aondoakaa has not been convicted of any offence, arraigned before any court on criminal charges, or indicted by any lawfully constituted administrative panel or tribunal since leaving office in 2010.
The PDP also pointed to Aondoakaa’s previous participation in governorship contests, including the PDP governorship primary in 2015 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in 2022 alongside Governor Hyacinth Alia and other aspirants.
The party argued that no legal challenge was filed against his eligibility during those electoral processes and noted that Aondoakaa himself challenged the outcome of the 2022 APC governorship primary up to the Court of Appeal before deciding not to proceed to the Supreme Court following what it described as intervention by the APC leadership.
The statement further cited Sections 177 and 182 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outline the qualifications and disqualifications for governorship candidates, arguing that no additional grounds for disqualification can be created outside those constitutional provisions.
The PDP also referenced Section 285(14)(9) of the Constitution, contending that any pre-election challenge to Aondoakaa’s nomination would have been required to be filed within the constitutional timeframe. It stated that Aondoakaa emerged as the party’s governorship candidate during its primary election held on May 24, 2026, and argued that the period for filing any pre-election action challenging his nomination has since elapsed.
The party urged members of the public to disregard what it described as false narratives and political propaganda, insisting that the 2027 governorship election would be decided by the electorate rather than by allegations circulated on social media.
Reaffirming its confidence in Aondoakaa, the PDP said its candidate possesses the experience, competence, integrity, and constitutional qualifications required to govern Benue State. It added that no amount of “sponsored falsehood, intimidation or propaganda” would distract the party from presenting its agenda on security, economic recovery, agriculture, industrial development, and responsive governance.
The PDP concluded by reiterating that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) remains its duly nominated governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election.
