Burning Aondoakaa campaign materials shows attack on democracy – PDP knocks Benue speaker

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has condemned the alleged burning of campaign materials bearing the image of its 2027 governorship candidate, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, by supporters of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga.

The party, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, on Friday, said the incident, captured in a viral video, was an attack on democracy, political plurality and the rights of citizens to support candidates of their choice.

According to the PDP, the video showed Emberga directing his supporters to pour petrol on and burn campaign T-shirts bearing Aondoakaa’s image.

The party described the action as “a symbolic attack on democracy” and said it was alarming that such conduct was allegedly coming from the Speaker, who it said was expected to uphold the law and promote peaceful coexistence among Benue residents.

The PDP alleged that the incident was part of a pattern of intolerance, intimidation and hostility towards dissenting voices under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

It also accused Emberga of previously encouraging supporters to confront critics of the governor, alleging that he had told supporters that public events, including church programmes, should be disrupted if anyone criticised Alia.

The party further accused Governor Alia of making threatening remarks against critics of his administration and alleged that supporters and appointees of the administration had disrupted public gatherings.

The PDP also criticised Emberga over the security situation in Benue, accusing him of failing to demonstrate sufficient urgency over attacks, displacement and the plight of internally displaced persons in the state.

It alleged that the Assembly had not taken meaningful legislative action to address the security crisis and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their communities.

The party further accused the Speaker of failing to adequately hold the executive accountable over economic hardship, unemployment and other challenges confronting residents.

It also criticised the Speaker’s alleged silence over Governor Alia’s absence from the state, claiming that the governor was currently in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.

The PDP called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged burning of the campaign materials.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of the incident and monitor the conduct of political actors in Benue ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party called on Governor Alia to publicly state his position on the incident, saying his response would clarify whether the alleged conduct reflected the values of his administration.

The PDP said it would remain committed to peaceful democratic engagement, adding that the burning of campaign T-shirts would not address insecurity, hardship, unemployment or other challenges confronting Benue residents. Burning Aondoakaa Campaign Materials Shows Attack on Democracy, PDP Knocks Benue Speaker

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has condemned the alleged burning of campaign materials bearing the image of its 2027 governorship candidate, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, by supporters of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga.

The party, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, on Thursday, said the incident, captured in a viral video, was an attack on democracy, political plurality and the rights of citizens to support candidates of their choice.

According to the PDP, the video showed Emberga directing his supporters to pour petrol on and burn campaign T-shirts bearing Aondoakaa’s image.

The party described the action as “a symbolic attack on democracy” and said it was alarming that such conduct was allegedly coming from the Speaker, who it said was expected to uphold the law and promote peaceful coexistence among Benue residents.

The PDP alleged that the incident was part of a pattern of intolerance, intimidation and hostility towards dissenting voices under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

It also accused Emberga of previously encouraging supporters to confront critics of the governor, alleging that he had told supporters that public events, including church programmes, should be disrupted if anyone criticised Alia.

The party further accused Governor Alia of making threatening remarks against critics of his administration and alleged that supporters and appointees of the administration had disrupted public gatherings.

The PDP also criticised Emberga over the security situation in Benue, accusing him of failing to demonstrate sufficient urgency over attacks, displacement and the plight of internally displaced persons in the state.

It alleged that the Assembly had not taken meaningful legislative action to address the security crisis and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their communities.

The party further accused the Speaker of failing to adequately hold the executive accountable over economic hardship, unemployment and other challenges confronting residents.

It also criticised the Speaker’s alleged silence over Governor Alia’s absence from the state, claiming that the governor was currently in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.

The PDP called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged burning of the campaign materials.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of the incident and monitor the conduct of political actors in Benue ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party called on Governor Alia to publicly state his position on the incident, saying his response would clarify whether the alleged conduct reflected the values of his administration.

The PDP said it would remain committed to peaceful democratic engagement, adding that the burning of campaign T-shirts would not address insecurity, hardship, unemployment or other challenges confronting Benue residents.