Benue PDP candidate Aondoakaa asks supporters to stay calm after attack on campaign items

The 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has asked his supporters to avoid violence despite any provocation.

Aondoakaa, who was once the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, made this request in a statement he signed. He shared it with journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.

His appeal came after some of his campaign materials were set on fire in different areas of the state.

A viral video showed some people pouring petrol on and burning campaign T-shirts that had the image of Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, the PDP candidate for governor. Many viewers of the video condemned this act, calling it politics of bitterness.

Aondoakaa urged his supporters to stay calm and said that even if campaign materials are destroyed, the hopes of the people will not be lost. 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.

“But I want to make it clear that no act of provocation, no matter how offensive, should lead us to abandon the principles of our campaign.

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

“I call on all my supporters across the 23 local government areas of our 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 let yourselves be provoked into actions that will harm our noble cause under the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The cost of peace is much lower 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.”

He continued, “Those who want to provoke us into anger and chaos have a purpose. They want to distract us from our message. They aim to create confusion and make everyone look bad. We must not give them that chance. We must show those who expect us to react with bitterness and violence that they are wrong.

“Let’s show the people of Benue 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 strength of our movement, called BENUE FIRST, is not in posters, banners, billboards, or campaign materials. Its strength lies in the belief of the people, in our shared vision for a safer and wealthier Benue, and in our determination to bring hope back to our state.

“Campaign materials can be destroyed, but the aspirations of the people cannot be burned. The desire for peace cannot be set on fire. The demand for good governance cannot be silenced.”