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The Media Director of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) in Bayelsa State, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has called on security agencies to investigate reported cases of violence during political campaigns, alleging that opposition elements are using the incidents as a strategy to blackmail the All Progressives Congress (APC) and undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Eradiri, a former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide and former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and later Environment, alleged that attempts to associate the APC with violence during opposition campaigns were deliberate efforts to whip up public sentiment against the ruling party.
He insisted that the Tinubu campaign organisation was committed to peaceful political mobilisation and had no involvement in attacks or violent activities.
Speaking against the backdrop of reported violence during the ongoing political campaigns, Eradiri said it was suspicious that allegations of violence were repeatedly linked to the APC whenever opposition parties held campaign activities.
He urged security agencies to go beyond the allegations, investigate the incidents and identify those responsible to prevent the issue from being exploited for political blackmail.
“The security agencies must probe deep into these allegations because what we are seeing is APC thugs. No, we don’t have thugs. APC does not have thugs. Tinubu support has nothing to do with thugs,” he said.
Eradiri added: “Attributing violence to the Tinubu campaign is unacceptable, and the security agencies must fish it out so that they don’t use this to begin to blackmail.”
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He described the Tinubu campaign structure as non-violent, saying its strategy was centred on door-to-door engagement, market visits and direct interaction with voters rather than intimidation.
Eradiri said: “I am really shocked that the APC is doing its own campaign door-to-door, reaching out to people and talking to them. Then, anytime the opposition is campaigning, you will be hearing about violence, which they are trying to associate with the APC.
“No, it has nothing to do with the Tinubu campaign. The Tinubu campaign is a non-violent campaign structure. Our organisation is non-violent”.
The TSG director argued that the APC had no reason to resort to violence, given what he described as the administration’s achievements and the programmes it intended to present to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
“There is a lot we are presenting as our manifesto. So why are we going to use violence? Of what value would violence bring?” he asked.
He further alleged that the accusations were part of an attempt to discredit the APC and blackmail Tinubu’s second-term ambition, insisting that the campaign group would continue to pursue peaceful engagement with voters.
Eradiri called on political actors to desist from making unsubstantiated allegations against the APC and urged security agencies to ensure that perpetrators of political violence were brought to justice.
