Benue PDP disowns Agbo as governorship candidate, threatens legal action against him 

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Benue State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has disowned former state chairman, Emmanuel Agbo, over claims that he is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, describing him as an impostor and threatening legal action against him.

The party’s reaction followed the circulation of photographs on social media showing Agbo displaying a certificate purportedly identifying him as the PDP governorship candidate for Benue State.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the party’s Secretary, Dan Nyikwagh, on behalf of the state chairman, Ezekiel Adaji, the PDP dismissed the claim as fraudulent and misleading.

According to the party, its authentic governorship candidate is former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, who was officially presented with his certificate in Abuja on Wednesday.

The statement said, “Emmanuel Agbo is not and has never been the governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State. Any claim, publication, video or public statement suggesting otherwise is a deliberate falsehood and a calculated attempt to deceive the people of Benue State.”

The party further described Agbo as “an impostor and political con artist” allegedly sponsoring fake news for selfish and mischievous reasons.

It maintained that Aondoakaa emerged through a transparent and unanimous consensus process endorsed by party leaders, stakeholders and members and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The Benue PDP had duly affirmed Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as the authentic and legitimate governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 elections. This decision reflects the collective will of the party and has been widely endorsed across the state,” the statement added.

The party warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to create confusion or undermine its unity, saying it had already commenced constitutional and legal steps against Agbo and others involved in what it described as impersonation.

“Impersonating a party candidate is a serious offence, and the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on anyone engaging in such criminal conduct,” the statement said.

The PDP reiterated its commitment to remaining united ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that Aondoakaa remains its only recognised candidate in Benue State.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from Emmanuel Agbo were unsuccessful as calls made to his telephone line were not answered.