The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has described the fresh legal action seeking to stop its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, from contesting the election as a distraction.
The party made its position known in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The reaction followed reports that four Benue indigenes had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking orders to prevent Aondoakaa from contesting the 2027 governorship election.
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The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2152/2026, was reportedly filed by David Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Joseph Okpanachi and Benedict Orkume against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and Aondoakaa. The plaintiffs say they are registered voters in Benue State.
However, the Benue PDP said the development would not derail its political activities or its engagement with the electorate.
“Ordinarily, we would not dignify such distractions with a response,” Antyo said, adding that the party considered it necessary to clarify its position for the benefit of the public.
According to the PDP spokesman, the plaintiffs were not members of the party and did not participate in the party’s governorship primary held on May 24, 2026, which produced Aondoakaa as its candidate.
Reports published after the primary also identified Aondoakaa as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The PDP maintained that the legal challenge should be allowed to follow its proper judicial course, stressing that the party would refrain from commenting on the substantive merits of the case while it remains before the court.
PDP Cites Constitution
The party further argued that Aondoakaa meets the constitutional requirements for election as governor, citing Sections 177 and 182 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Section 177 sets out qualifications for election as governor, while Section 182 contains constitutional disqualifications.
The PDP said it remained confident in its interpretation of the constitutional provisions but acknowledged that the courts would ultimately determine the legal issues raised by the suit.
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The plaintiffs, however, have reportedly relied on a previous Supreme Court judgment involving Aondoakaa and argued that the decision has implications for his eligibility to contest the 2027 election.
The court has therefore become the appropriate forum for resolving the competing legal interpretations.
PDP: Focus Remains on Benue
Antyo said the PDP would continue to focus on issues affecting residents of the state, particularly security, economic opportunities and governance.
The party also criticised the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia over insecurity, alleging that the government had failed to adequately address the problem.
The government’s performance on security and other policy issues remains a subject of political debate ahead of the 2027 election.
The PDP spokesman said the party would not allow the court case to distract it from its engagement with Benue voters.
“We will not be distracted by political theatrics masquerading as genuine public interest litigation,” he stated.
The court is expected to continue proceedings in the matter, while Aondoakaa and the PDP maintain their respective positions on the candidate’s eligibility.
