Benue 2027: ‘Campaign of falsehood has collapsed’: Aondoakaa media consultant Akase hails legal vindication
The campaign team of Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election, has dismissed claims that the former Attorney-General of the Federation has been barred by the Supreme Court from holding public office, describing the allegations as a misrepresentation of judicial decisions and constitutional law.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Terver Akase, media consultant to Aondoakaa, said political opponents had attempted to portray the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as constitutionally disqualified from contesting the governorship election.
https://theintelligence.com.ng/has-aondoakaa-committed-any-crime-benue-2027/
Akase maintained that the matter had already been resolved by the Supreme Court, citing a 2021 judgment delivered by Justice Mary Peter-Odili.
According to the statement, the apex court held that “the issue of qualification for holding the office of the second respondent or any other public office does not arise.”
The campaign identified the “second respondent” in the judgment as Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Campaign Cites Constitutional Provisions
The statement alleged that critics continued to rely on an earlier 2010 judgment while overlooking what it described as the Supreme Court’s clarification in 2021.
It further argued that Sections 177 and 182 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) comprehensively define the qualifications and grounds for disqualification of governorship candidates.
According to the campaign, no additional conditions for disqualification can be imposed beyond those expressly provided by the Constitution.
Akase also referred to Section 285(9) of the Constitution, which governs pre-election matters, arguing that legal challenges relating to the qualification of candidates must be filed within 14 days of the event giving rise to the dispute.
Campaign Says Deadline for Legal Challenge Has Expired
The statement said Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP governorship candidate on May 24, 2026, received his Certificate of Return on June 24, 2026, and was subsequently submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Electoral Act.
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It argued that the constitutional deadline for filing any legal challenge to his nomination had elapsed, leaving no jurisdiction for courts to entertain fresh claims regarding his eligibility.
“The law has spoken. The Constitution has spoken. The Supreme Court has spoken,” the statement said.
It added that the remaining contest should be decided by voters at the ballot box rather than through what it described as political propaganda.
Calls for Issue-Based Campaign
The campaign also urged political stakeholders to focus on governance and policy debates rather than legal controversies.
According to Akase, Benue voters are more concerned about issues such as security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and economic development ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He maintained that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa remains the duly nominated and recognised PDP governorship candidate and called on political opponents to prepare for a democratic contest.
