By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, has urged his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state not to retaliate over the reported burning of campaign materials belonging to his BENUE FIRST movement.
Aondoakaa, who expressed concern over the development, called on his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, warning against destroying opponents’ campaign materials or engaging in violence.
Some alleged supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Makurdi were recently seen with top members of the APC, in a viral video on social media setting fire on campaign materials that had the image of the PDP candidate.
Reacting to the development in a statement he personaly signed, the governorship candidate 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.”
According to him, the movement was founded on “peace, security, justice, tolerance, and the rule of law,” stressing that politics should be about ideas, solutions and service rather than hatred and 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,” he said.
Aondoakaa said the movement must not be distracted by acts of provocation, adding that “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.”
He maintained that the strength of BENUE FIRST was not in its posters, banners or billboards but in the aspirations of its supporters.
“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,” he said.
He added, “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.”
The PDP candidate urged his supporters to respect the law, political opponents and the democratic process, saying their conduct should demonstrate the values of the movement.
“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 said.
Aondoakaa, who reaffirmed his commitment to justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence, said, “Benue deserves politics that unites rather than divides, politics that protects rather than persecutes, and politics that offers hope rather than fear.”
He urged his supporters to remain disciplined and focused, adding, “history will judge all of us not by how loudly we spoke in moments of provocation, but by how responsibly we acted.
“Let us choose the path of peace. Let us choose the path of justice. Let us choose the path of a better Benue.”
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