PDP: Aondoakaa Not Barred From Public Office, Says Supreme Court Never Disqualified Him

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has dismissed claims that its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), has been barred by the Supreme Court from holding public office.

The party described the claim as false, misleading and politically motivated, accusing political opponents of attempting to distract its candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The PDP made its position known in a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, on Sunday.

The party maintained that Aondoakaa remains constitutionally qualified to contest the governorship election, insisting that there was no subsisting court judgment barring him from seeking elective office.

According to the PDP, the latest claim being circulated is that Aondoakaa had been disqualified from becoming governor of Benue State under the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The party, however, said the argument was based on a misrepresentation of the Supreme Court’s judgment in a case involving the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The controversy centres on a 2021 Supreme Court judgment in Aondoakaa v. Obot & Anor, in which a five-member panel led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili considered an appeal involving Aondoakaa.

The PDP argued that the judgment did not impose a blanket prohibition preventing Aondoakaa from holding public office.

The party said the continued circulation of the claim was part of an attempt by opposition politicians to undermine the candidacy of Aondoakaa, who emerged as the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 Benue governorship election.

It further argued that if there were any genuine legal grounds to challenge Aondoakaa’s eligibility, his opponents had had opportunities to raise such objections during previous electoral contests.

The party recalled that Aondoakaa had contested the APC governorship primary in Benue in 2022 against Governor Hyacinth Alia and subsequently challenged the outcome in court.

The PDP said the renewed controversy was evidence of what it described as opposition parties’ concern over Aondoakaa’s growing political acceptance in the state.

It urged the public to disregard what it described as false narratives designed to create confusion around the former AGF’s eligibility.

Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, returned to the PDP in 2026 and subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2027 Benue governorship election.

The controversy over his eligibility is not new. His media team had earlier cited the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision while dismissing claims that he had been permanently barred from holding public office.

The PDP said it remained focused on its preparations for the 2027 election and would not allow what it described as politically motivated claims to distract the party or its candidate.