Benue PDP guber candidate appeals to supporters after campaign materials burnt

2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has appealed to his supporters not to retaliate after some of his campaign materials and images were allegedly burnt by hoodlums in the state.

Aondoakaa made the appeal while reacting to a viral video circulating in the state showing some persons pouring petrol on and setting fire to campaign T-shirts bearing his image.

In a statement personally signed by him and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the PDP candidate urged his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding despite the alleged provocation.

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He said, “I have received reports and seen images of the burning of campaign materials belonging to our movement. Like many of you, I am deeply concerned by this unfortunate development.

“However, I wish to state clearly and unequivocally that no act of provocation, no matter how offensive, should cause us to abandon the principles upon which our campaign is founded.

“From the very beginning, our movement has stood for peace, security, justice, tolerance, and the rule of law. We have presented ourselves to the people of Benue as a credible alternative because we believe politics should be about ideas, solutions, and service, not hatred, intimidation, or violence.

“I therefore call on all my supporters across the 23 local government areas of our dear state to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. Do not retaliate. Do not destroy anyone’s campaign materials. Do not engage in violence. Do not allow yourselves to be provoked into actions that will tarnish the noble cause we represent under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The price of peace is far cheaper than the cost of violence. Peace builds; violence destroys. Peace unites; violence divides. Peace creates hope; violence leaves pain. No matter the provocation, choose peace.”

Aondoakaa further urged his supporters not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to provoke them into disorder.

He said, “Those who seek to provoke us into anger and disorder have a purpose. They want to distract us from our message. They want to create confusion and paint everyone with the same brush. We must not give them that opportunity.

“We must disappoint those who expect us to respond with bitterness and violence.

“Let us show Benue people that there is a clear difference between a movement that seeks to inspire and one that seeks to intimidate; between a movement that builds and one that destroys; between a movement guided by peace and one driven by hostility.”

The former minister said the strength of his movement, which he identified as “Benue First”, was not dependent on campaign posters, banners or billboards but on the support and aspirations of the people.

“The strength of our movement christened BENUE FIRST does not lie in posters, banners, billboards, or campaign materials. Its strength lies in the conviction of the people, in our shared vision for a safer and more prosperous Benue, and in our collective determination to restore hope to our state.

“Campaign materials can be destroyed, but the aspirations of the people cannot be burned. The desire for peace cannot be set ablaze. The demand for good governance cannot be intimidated into silence,” he said.