Politics

PDP Rejects Claims Aondoakaa Is Barred From Holding Public Office

Published

3 weeks ago

July 26, 2026

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has dismissed claims circulating on social media and in some media reports alleging that its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), is barred by a Supreme Court judgment from holding public office.

In a statement issued by the party’s Benue State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the PDP described the allegations as false, politically motivated, and intended to distract the party and its candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

According to the statement, the party said the claims are part of a sustained campaign by political opponents to tarnish Aondoakaa’s reputation.

The party maintained that there is no constitutional or legal basis for the allegation, insisting that Aondoakaa remains qualified to contest the 2027 governorship election.

The PDP stated that Aondoakaa served as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice without any criminal conviction or judicial finding that would disqualify him from seeking elective office.

According to the statement, Aondoakaa has not been convicted of any offence, arraigned before any court on criminal charges, or indicted by any lawfully constituted administrative panel or tribunal since leaving office in 2010.

The PDP also pointed to Aondoakaa’s previous participation in governorship contests, including the PDP governorship primary in 2015 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in 2022 alongside Governor Hyacinth Alia and other aspirants.

The party argued that no legal challenge was filed against his eligibility during those electoral processes and noted that Aondoakaa himself challenged the outcome of the 2022 APC governorship primary up to the Court of Appeal before deciding not to proceed to the Supreme Court following what it described as intervention by the APC leadership.

The statement further cited Sections 177 and 182 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outline the qualifications and disqualifications for governorship candidates, arguing that no additional grounds for disqualification can be created outside those constitutional provisions.

The PDP also referenced Section 285(14)(9) of the Constitution, contending that any pre-election challenge to Aondoakaa’s nomination would have been required to be filed within the constitutional timeframe. It stated that Aondoakaa emerged as the party’s governorship candidate during its primary election held on May 24, 2026, and argued that the period for filing any pre-election action challenging his nomination has since elapsed.

The party urged members of the public to disregard what it described as false narratives and political propaganda, insisting that the 2027 governorship election would be decided by the electorate rather than by allegations circulated on social media.

Reaffirming its confidence in Aondoakaa, the PDP said its candidate possesses the experience, competence, integrity, and constitutional qualifications required to govern Benue State. It added that no amount of “sponsored falsehood, intimidation or propaganda” would distract the party from presenting its agenda on security, economic recovery, agriculture, industrial development, and responsive governance.

The PDP concluded by reiterating that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) remains its duly nominated governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election.

Politics

APC Sets August 22 for Legislative Primary Elections

Published

4 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Online editor

By Abigail David

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled Saturday, August 22, 2026, for its primary elections to select candidates for four restored State House of Assembly constituencies and legislative bye-elections across five states.

The party announced the timetable in a statement signed by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, and released on Wednesday.

The primaries will cover three restored constituencies in Delta State — Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South II — and Yagba West II in Kogi State.

The exercise will also produce APC candidates for legislative bye-elections in Gombe, Bauchi, Delta and Kano states.

According to the timetable, the sale of expression-of-interest and nomination forms will run from August 18 to 20, while the submission deadline is August 20.

Screening of aspirants, publication of results and screening appeals will take place on August 21, ahead of the primaries on August 22. Election appeals are scheduled for August 24.

The APC fixed the expression-of-interest fee for State House of Assembly aspirants at N1 million and the nomination fee at N5 million, while House of Representatives aspirants will pay N1 million and N9 million respectively.

Female, youth and physically challenged aspirants are required to pay the expression-of-interest fee and 50 per cent of the prescribed nomination fee.

The timetable follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s restoration of the four previously suppressed constituencies after court judgments.

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Politics

Natasha Osawaru Emerges as Edo Assembly Minority Leader

Published

23 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Online editor

By Abigail David

Natasha Osawaru, wife of Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has been appointed Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Osawaru, who represents Egor Constituency, was announced as the new minority leader during Monday’s plenary following a reshuffling of the Assembly’s principal leadership positions.

Her emergence followed her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the National Democratic Congress in May 2026.

A statement from her Media and Strategic Communications Directorate said the reshuffle reflected new alignments among lawmakers and party caucuses in the Assembly.

Osawaru previously served as Deputy Majority Leader. She has focused on grassroots development, legislative debates, and youth and women empowerment during her time in the Assembly.

Reacting to her new position, Osawaru thanked the Assembly leadership, her colleagues and constituents.

She described the appointment as a responsibility rather than a title, pledging to promote accountability, effective representation and the development of Edo State.

Her emergence places her in a key opposition leadership role in the Edo State House of Assembly.

Politics

Politicians Urged to Shun Violence, Focus on Issues Ahead of 2027 Elections

Published

23 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Online editor

By Abigail David

A security expert in Katsina State, Ibrahim Katsina, has urged politicians and their supporters to embrace peaceful campaigns and focus on issues ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Katsina, a former Special Adviser on Security Matters to ex-Governor Aminu Masari, made the call in an interview with Channels Television in Katsina on Monday.

He urged political parties and candidates to promote their manifestos rather than resort to violence, intimidation, hate speech or other actions capable of creating tension.

“As the 2027 electioneering campaign draws closer, my advice to politicians is that they play according to the rules of the game in order not to overheat the polity,” he said.

Katsina also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to sanction political actors who incite violence or engage in thuggery.

On security, he commended the improvement recorded in Katsina State, attributing it to collaboration between the government and security agencies.

He expressed optimism that ongoing operations would further reduce insecurity before the 2027 elections, while stressing that citizens also have a role to play in maintaining peace.

“Security is everybody’s business. When we unite against terror, we will succeed,” he said.

Katsina also cautioned Nigerians against glorifying criminal activities on social media, saying such narratives could encourage criminals and undermine public confidence in security efforts.