The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue state has rejected claims that its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), is barred from running for the office. The party described the allegations as baseless, misleading and driven by political opponents seeking to damage his rising support across the state.
Bright Antyo, the PDP's state publicity secretary, said in a statement on Saturday that the reports circulating have no legal or constitutional backing. He insisted that Aondoakaa remains fully qualified under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to contest the election.
Antyo noted that no court has convicted the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of any offence that would disqualify him from seeking elected office. He added that Aondoakaa has never been arraigned on criminal charges or indicted by any lawful administrative body since leaving office in 2010.
The spokesman pointed out that Aondoakaa previously ran in the PDP governorship primary in 2015 and the APC primary in 2022 without anyone challenging his eligibility. "There is simply no legal basis" for the current claims, Antyo said.
The PDP also argued that any legal challenge to Aondoakaa's nomination is now time-barred under the Constitution. Section 285(14)(9) sets a 14-day window for pre-election matters, and once that period expires, courts lose the power to hear such cases, he explained.
Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP's governorship candidate following the party's primary election on May 24, 2026. The party relies on Sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution, which spell out qualifications and disqualifications for governorship candidates.
The PDP stressed that no political party or individual can create grounds for disqualification beyond what the Constitution provides. It urged the public to ignore what it called an "avalanche of false narratives" circulating on social media.
The party said the 2027 governorship race would be decided by voters, not "skewed social media propaganda or wishful legal theories." It reaffirmed its confidence in Aondoakaa, citing his integrity, competence, experience and constitutional qualification.
The PDP pledged to focus its campaign on security, economic recovery, agricultural transformation, industrial development and responsive governance. It remained committed to presenting Aondoakaa as the candidate to deliver the purposeful leadership Benue state needs, the statement added.
