…Group alleges sponsorship of kinsman to challenge PDP candidate’s candidacy in court
Fresh political tension is building in Benue State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with a pressure group alleging that Governor Hyacinth Alia and members of his political circle are exploring legal means to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, from appearing on the ballot.
The allegation was contained in a statement signed by Jerome Zoho, President of the Alliance for Truth and Democracy (ATD), Benue State.
According to the group, a young man identified as Damian Iorhen Adagba, said to be from Vandeikya Local Government Area and a member of Governor Alia’s social media team, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The ATD questioned the circumstances surrounding Adagba’s emergence, alleging that he has recently received vehicles, security personnel and other logistical support despite previously having no widely known political structure or financial capacity associated with a governorship campaign.
The group further alleged that Governor Alia and some of his associates recently discussed ways of countering what it described as the growing popularity of Aondoakaa across the state.
It claimed that the alleged strategy was to pursue litigation against the PDP candidate rather than challenge him directly at the polls.
According to the statement, Adagba could be used as the vehicle for such a legal challenge.
The ATD described the alleged move as an abuse of the judicial process, arguing that political disputes should be resolved through democratic competition rather than what it called “proxy litigations.”
Group cites constitutional provisions
The group also questioned the potential legal basis of any challenge to Aondoakaa’s candidacy.
It argued that the Supreme Court has held in several decisions that issues relating to the nomination and sponsorship of candidates are generally internal affairs of political parties, and that persons seeking to challenge the outcome of a party primary must have participated in that primary.
The ATD therefore argued that Adagba, having not participated in the PDP governorship primary that produced Aondoakaa on May 24, 2026, would lack the necessary legal standing to challenge the nomination on that basis.
The group further accused those behind any proposed litigation of relying on older judicial decisions while ignoring subsequent Supreme Court pronouncements.
It also cited Sections 177 and 182 of the Nigerian Constitution, which set out the constitutional requirements for qualification and disqualification for the office of governor.
According to the ATD, political opponents cannot introduce additional grounds for disqualification beyond those recognised by the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.
The group also referred to Section 285(9) of the Constitution, which provides a 14-day period for instituting pre-election matters, arguing that the applicable period for challenging the processes surrounding Aondoakaa’s emergence had already elapsed.
Aondoakaa’s nomination
Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP governorship candidate following the party’s primary election on May 24, 2026.
The ATD said he received his Certificate of Return on June 24, 2026, while his nomination was subsequently communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his name uploaded to the commission’s portal.
The group consequently argued that any attempt to reopen the matter through litigation would amount to a political strategy rather than a genuine legal contest.
The ATD alleged that the development was motivated by concerns over Aondoakaa’s political strength ahead of the 2027 election.
It urged Governor Alia and his supporters to focus on governance, policies and performance rather than attempts to prevent political opponents from contesting.
“Elections are won through performance, ideas, credibility and the confidence of the people,” the group stated, arguing that voters should be allowed to decide their preferred candidate at the ballot box.
The ATD concluded that if there are legitimate questions about Aondoakaa’s eligibility to govern Benue State, such issues should be tested through lawful and constitutionally recognised processes.
The allegations contained in the statement have not been independently established, and no evidence of the alleged discussions or proposed litigation was provided in the statement.
