INEC may drop Aondoakaa from Benue guber race as former AGF begs court for more time to file defence
The fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa SAN hangs in the balance as his candidature may be withdrawn by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
In an Originating Summons filed on Sept. 9 before Federal High Court 7, Abuja, the quartet of David Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Okpanachi Joseph and Benedict Akaazua, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2152/2026 are challenging Aondoakaa’s eligibility to stand election, on the grounds that the highest court in the land had ruled that he is not fit to hold public office.
INEC is the 1st Respondent, while the PDP and Aondoakaa are 2nd and 3rd Respondents respectively.
When the suit came up on Tuesday, Aondoakaa, who had failed to file a response pleaded with Hon. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to grant him more time.
The court granted him additional time to file his defence before the hearing date of Oct. 13.
Conversely, INEC was ready with its defence after filing its Written Address wherein it conceded to the plaintiffs’ entire case.
INEC submitted only one issue for determination, namely: “Whether or not the 1st Defendant [INEC] is under a constitutional obligation to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court in Michael Kaase Aondoakaa vs Obot (2022) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1824) @ 523?”
In answer to this question, INEC’s first submission is: “We submit, respectfully, that the above question is answered in the affirmative, and we state clearly that the provisions of Section 137(1) of the 1999 Constitution [as amended] are very clear and unambiguous.”
INEC further submitted that Chief Aondoakaa has a “proclivity to disparage the hierarchy of courts in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court.”
It concluded that it is bound by the judgment of the apex court.
