The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, strongly condemned the attack and disruption of the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi’s, visit to Benue State.
The disruption happened in Makurdi and was allegedly carried out by thugs led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youths, a statement by James Ian, the Media Assistant to Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, indicated.
Mr. Obi was in Benue State to engage with stakeholders of the NDC and to visit survivors of the Yelewata massacre, where over 200 innocent lives were killed, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed last year. Chief Aondoakaa describes the incident as a disgraceful assault on democracy and a direct affront to the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
The former Attorney General of the Federation noted that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee every citizen the right to freedom of movement, association, and political participation. He stresses that no individual, group, or government has the authority to deny any Nigerian access to any part of the country on account of political affiliation.
Chief Aondoakaa further observed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly emphasized that all presidential and other candidates, as well as political leaders, must be free to travel across the country to canvass for support and engage with citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections. The PDP gubernatorial candidate states that any attempt to obstruct, intimidate, or attack a political leader exercising that right runs contrary to the spirit of democratic competition and undermines the President’s call for a peaceful and inclusive political process.
According to Chief Aondoakaa, the incident also constitutes a violation of the recently signed peace accord by political actors, under which parties and candidates committed themselves to conduct issue-based campaigns, refrain from violence, and allow opponents to move freely and interact with voters without harassment, intimidation, or attacks. He says democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas, not on violence and political intolerance.
Chief Aondoakaa expresses concern that the ugly incident portrays Benue State in a very negative light before the nation and the international community. He states that the actions of a few politically motivated individuals do not represent the character, values, and culture of the people of Benue State.
“Benue people are renowned for their hospitality, civility, and respect for visitors. Our state has always welcomed people from different political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. The attack on Mr. Peter Obi is therefore inconsistent with the true identity of our people and should be condemned by all lovers of democracy irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further laments that at a time when Benue people are mourning the loss of hundreds of innocent citizens to incessant attacks and grappling with widespread insecurity, the state government appears unable to prevent violence against its own people but quick to unleash political actors against visitors and opponents.
He insists that no responsible government should tolerate, encourage, or be associated with acts of thuggery, intimidation, and harassment against political opponents or visitors to the state.
Chief Aondoakaa therefore calls on security agencies to immediately conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice regardless of their status or political connections. He also urges security agencies to guarantee the safety of all political actors and Nigerians exercising their constitutional rights.
He calls on Benue people to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to democratic principles, stressing that violence, intimidation, and political thuggery have no place in the state’s political future.
Similarly, Alh. Rabiu Musa Kwankwoso, the Vice-Presidential candidate of ADC called the Benue State government out over the attack.
He tweeted: “The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy.
“Authorities must remember that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement. This right applies even more strongly to Mr Obi, a former governor and leading opposition figure.
“The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted. It must also guarantee the safety and free movement of our candidate and his entourage.
“I further urge the President to caution state governors, particularly those in his party against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy.
“I also call on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of this incident and to urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders, and safeguard democratic freedoms – RMK” he concluded.
