INEC Has No Plan To Drop Aondoakaa – Why Benue People Should Be Wary Of Misleading Narratives, by Adewole Kehinde

The report titled “INEC may drop Aondoakaa from Benue guber race as former AGF begs court for more time to file defence” has generated public discussion and concern. However, available facts do not support the impression created by the headline.

As things stand, there is no public indication that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken any step or announced any intention to drop Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, from the 2027 Benue State governorship race.

Any suggestion that such an outcome is imminent appears speculative and is not supported by any known decision of the electoral body.

In my view, the report is misleading because it presents a hypothetical outcome as though it were a realistic or impending development. No court, to the best of public knowledge, has issued any order directing INEC to remove Chief Aondoakaa from any electoral contest.

Likewise, there is no publicly available evidence that any competent authority has taken action that would justify the conclusion suggested by the headline.

This is why commentators, media practitioners and political actors must exercise caution in reporting matters that are the subject of ongoing legal proceedings.

Sensational headlines may attract attention, but they can also create unnecessary anxiety and confusion among members of the public.

The increasing resort to unverified claims, political speculation and exaggerated reporting is a troubling development in Benue’s political environment.

Democratic competition is healthiest when it is driven by ideas, policies and performance rather than narratives that may not be supported by established facts.

It is also important to note that the mere filing of a lawsuit does not determine its outcome. Courts exist to hear arguments from all sides and to make decisions based on the law and evidence presented before them.

Until a competent court reaches a determination, it would be premature to treat allegations contained in court processes as established facts.

Available information further indicates that the individuals behind the suit are not members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and are not governorship aspirants or candidates within the party.

Whether they possess the requisite legal standing is ultimately a matter for the court to determine. However, it is reasonable to observe that they are not direct participants in the PDP’s internal nomination process.

Supporters of Chief Aondoakaa argue that the litigation and accompanying media narratives are connected to concerns about his growing political acceptance across the twenty-three local government areas of Benue State.

While that is a political interpretation, what remains indisputable is that his political activities and public engagements continue to attract attention and discussion across the state.

What should concern every stakeholder is the tendency to draw far-reaching conclusions from unresolved legal proceedings. The institution of a suit does not, by itself, invalidate a nomination, terminate a candidacy, or amount to a finding against the person concerned.

Those consequences, where applicable, can only arise from due legal processes and competent decisions by the appropriate authorities.

No political actor should be condemned on the basis of speculation, and no electoral outcome should be presumed on the basis of unproven allegations. The rule of law demands patience, fairness and respect for due process.

It is therefore important for members of the public to approach reports of this nature with caution and to rely on verified facts rather than conjecture.

Political contests should be decided through lawful democratic processes, not through headlines that may convey impressions unsupported by official actions or judicial decisions.

In conclusion, it would be both premature and misleading to suggest that the filing of a suit against Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, automatically translates into the loss of his candidacy or the invalidation of any nomination process.

Such conclusions can only be reached by the appropriate authorities acting within the law and on the basis of established facts, not speculation.

Adewole Kehinde is a Public Affairs Analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. Email: kennyadewole@gmail.com