BENUE 2027: COURT BATTLE THREATENS PDP GOVERNORSHIP TICKET
Aondoakaa’s Candidacy Challenged Over Supreme Court Judgment
From our Reporter
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 2027 governorship ticket in Benue State is facing a major legal challenge, following a suit seeking to stop Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, from contesting the election.
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Four Benue indigenes and registered voters—David A. Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Joseph Okpanachi and Benedict Akaazua Orkume—filed an Originating Summons before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging Aondoakaa’s candidacy and naming him, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
The suit centres on the Supreme Court judgment in Aondoakaa v. Obot (2022) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1824) 523. The plaintiffs argue that the judgment has constitutional implications for Aondoakaa’s bid to become governor of Benue State.
They are asking the court to determine whether Sections 235 and 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, require INEC and the PDP to comply with the Supreme Court judgment by preventing Aondoakaa’s sponsorship and participation in the 2027 governorship election.
The plaintiffs are seeking seven reliefs, including declarations that Aondoakaa should withdraw from the contest and perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from allowing his sponsorship, the PDP from sponsoring him, and Aondoakaa from contesting the 2027 or any subsequent governorship election in Benue State.
Central to their argument is a passage from the Supreme Court judgment in which Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that, having regard to Aondoakaa’s conduct while serving as Chief Law Officer of the Federation, he “ought not be entrusted with any other public office at all.”
The plaintiffs also relied on a subsequent Federal High Court ruling which, according to their court filing, struck out a suit instituted by Aondoakaa as an abuse of court process.
The case has therefore thrown a fresh legal dimension into the emerging 2027 political battle in Benue, with the court now being asked to determine whether the PDP candidate can proceed with his governorship ambition.
For the PDP, the outcome could prove consequential for its 2027 strategy and ticket, as the legal challenge places Aondoakaa’s candidacy squarely before the judiciary.
