Aondoakaa’s lawyers urge court to dismiss suit challenging 2027 Benue governorship candidacy

The legal team representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State,  Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to dismiss a suit challenging his candidacy in the 2027 governorship election for lack of competence.

The team, led by Prof. Anthony Ijohor, SAN, adopted Aondoakaa’s preliminary objection and urged the court to dismiss the suit in limine, arguing that it was incompetent and should not be allowed to proceed. The legal team comprised other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Chiesonu I. Okpoko, Anthony A. Malik and Mohammed Said Diri, as well as Kohol; Michael Gusa,  Aleichenu Ogwuche,  A.J. Apera; Matthew Onoja; D.D. Asema,  and H.T. Ijohor.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2152/2026, was instituted by David Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Joseph Okpanachi and Benedict Akaazua Orkume against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and Aondoakaa.

At the proceedings, counsel to the PDP, C.T. Mue, also adopted the party’s preliminary objection and urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of competence.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Feng Pwajok, adopted the plaintiffs’ counter-addresses and written address in response to the preliminary objections raised by Aondoakaa and the PDP.

In response, Prof. Ijohor adopted Aondoakaa’s further affidavit and reply on points of law, while Mue adopted the PDP’s reply on points of law. On the substantive suit, counsel to the plaintiffs adopted their originating processes, while lawyers representing the defendants adopted their respective court processes.

The plaintiffs’ counsel subsequently adopted further affidavits and replies on points of law filed in response to the submissions by the PDP and Aondoakaa. After hearing the arguments from the parties, the court adjourned the matter to November 16, 2026, for judgment.

Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is the PDP’s nominated governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election.