The campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has dismissed as false and misleading a report suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may drop his candidature ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Assistant, James Ian, the former Attorney-General of the Federation described the report as a “desperate propaganda gambit” designed to create the impression that Aondoakaa’s candidacy was under serious legal threat.
The statement was in reaction to a publication titled, “INEC may drop Aondoakaa from Benue guber race as former AGF begs court for more time to file defence.”
Ian said the report misrepresented proceedings in the case, arguing that the matter was not ripe for substantive hearing because all parties had not been duly served.
He rejected the description of Aondoakaa as having “begged” the court for more time to file a defence, saying the characterisation was a distortion intended to portray the PDP candidate as being under pressure.
According to him, the suggestion that INEC could withdraw Aondoakaa’s candidature was equally speculative, stressing that no court had made such an order and that there had been no action by any competent authority indicating that his nomination was in jeopardy.
The media aide further argued that the plaintiffs behind the suit were not members of the PDP and were not governorship candidates in the state, questioning their interest in the party’s nomination process.
He alleged that the legal action and accompanying media reports were part of a wider political campaign against the Aondoakaa/Ogbenjuwa ticket, which he said had continued to gain support across the state.
Ian also defended Aondoakaa’s eligibility to contest, noting that the PDP candidate had not been convicted by any court for fraud, dishonesty or any offence that would disqualify him from seeking public office.
He recalled Aondoakaa’s previous service as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, describing him as an experienced legal practitioner and public servant.
The statement urged those behind the litigation to allow the courts to determine the matter on the basis of law and evidence rather than through what it described as “sensational headlines” and media campaigns.
Ian maintained that the mere filing of a suit against a political candidate did not, by itself, invalidate a nomination or disqualify a candidate from participating in an election.
He cited the legal challenges that confronted the incumbent governor, Hyacinth Alia, before and after the 2023 election, saying such matters were ultimately determined through the judicial process.
The Aondoakaa camp therefore urged political actors to concentrate on presenting their records, programmes and candidates to the electorate rather than relying on litigation and media campaigns.
It said Aondoakaa remained focused on his campaign ahead of the 2027 election, with emphasis on security, economic revival, responsible governance and rebuilding public confidence in government.
“Chief Aondoakaa remains focused on offering the people of Benue State a credible alternative,” Ian said, adding that the former AGF would not be distracted by what he described as propaganda, distortion or sponsored litigation.
Ends
