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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful following the alleged burning of campaign materials belonging to his movement.
Aondoakaa, in a statement on Sunday, condemned the development but cautioned his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state against retaliation.
He urged them not to destroy the campaign materials of opponents or engage in any act capable of escalating political tension in the state.
According to him, the incident should not cause the movement to abandon its commitment to peace, security, justice, tolerance and the rule of law.
The PDP governorship candidate was responding to a viral video showing a prominent member of the ruling party burning campaign materials belonging to his party.
He said politics should be centred on ideas, solutions and service to the people rather than hatred, intimidation or violence.
Aondoakaa said, “No act of provocation, no matter how offensive, should cause us to abandon the principles upon which our campaign is founded.”
He appealed to his supporters to remain focused on the values of the “BENUE FIRST” movement, saying its strength was not in posters, banners or billboards but in the aspirations of the people.
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“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,” he said.
The PDP candidate said the destruction of campaign materials could not destroy the aspirations of the people or their desire for peace and good governance.
He also urged his supporters to respect political opponents and the democratic process, saying their conduct should demonstrate their commitment to peaceful politics.
Aondoakaa said, “Let our conduct speak louder than their actions. Let our commitment to peace be our answer to intolerance. Let our faith in democracy be stronger than any attempt to undermine it.”
He further said Benue deserved politics that united rather than divided the people, adding that he remained committed to justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation said the response of political actors during moments of provocation would ultimately be judged by history.
“History will judge all of us not by how loudly we spoke in moments of provocation, but by how responsibly we acted,” he said.
He therefore called on his supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and focused, urging them to choose peace, justice and a better Benue.
