Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State Chapter, strongly and unequivocally condemns the reported attack on the Presidential Candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit and political engagement in Benue State.
The reported incident is not only reprehensible but deeply alarming. It constitutes a disturbing assault on the principles of democracy, political freedom and the right of citizens and political actors to move freely, assemble peacefully and express their political opinions without fear of violence, harassment or intimidation.
Benue cannot and must not become a theatre of political violence. Our State has suffered enough from insecurity and violence. The last thing Benue needs is the emergence of political thuggery and intimidation as instruments for controlling political space or silencing opposition voices.
The PDP is particularly concerned by reports alleging that the attackers were linked to individuals sympathetic to the Alia administration. We are not prejudging the outcome of any investigation; however, these allegations are too serious to be dismissed, ignored or treated as mere political rhetoric. They demand an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation by the appropriate security authorities.
If those responsible are found to have acted with the knowledge, encouragement, support or protection of politically exposed persons, the law must take its full course. Political affiliation, government position or personal connections must never constitute immunity from accountability.
The responsibility for maintaining law and order rests squarely with the government and relevant security agencies. Every government has a solemn duty to protect the lives, dignity, property and fundamental rights of its citizens and visitors, irrespective of their political party, ethnic background, social status or ideological persuasion.
It is therefore unacceptable for any political actor or group to think that they can use violence or intimidation to determine who may enter Benue, who may hold political meetings, or who may express an alternative political opinion.
The PDP calls on the APC-led Benue State Government to immediately take concrete steps to guarantee the safety of all political parties, candidates, campaigners and citizens participating in legitimate political activities across the State.
We specifically demand:
1. An immediate and transparent investigation into the reported attack on Mr. Peter Obi and the identification of all those involved.
2. The prosecution of anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation, position or connections.
3. Adequate security protection for all political parties and political actors conducting lawful activities in Benue State.
4. An unequivocal public condemnation of political thuggery and intimidation by the State Government and all political stakeholders.
5. Concrete measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents as the State moves deeper into an increasingly active political season.
We remind the Benue State Government that political power is temporary, but the institutions and democratic values we destroy today may be difficult to rebuild tomorrow.
Benue belongs to all of us. It does not belong to the APC, the PDP, any other political party or any individual in government. No government has the right to appropriate the political space of the people, and no political party has the right to determine whose voice should be heard through the use or threat of violence.
The PDP remains committed to democratic principles, peaceful political engagement, freedom of expression, the rule of law and the sanctity of the ballot box. We will continue to oppose every attempt to use intimidation, thuggery or violence as a substitute for political persuasion.
At the same time, we urge our members, supporters and all political actors to remain calm and exercise restraint. Provocation must not be allowed to drag Benue into a cycle of political violence. Political disagreements should be settled through dialogue, debate, persuasion and ultimately through the ballot, not through fists, weapons, threats or intimidation.
We call on the people of Benue to remain vigilant and law-abiding and to reject political harassment in all its forms. Citizens must not be intimidated into silence simply because they hold views different from those of the government or the ruling party.
Every Benue person and every visitor to Benue has the right to feel safe. That right does not depend on political affiliation.
The Government of Benue State must therefore demonstrate, through decisive and visible action, that the security of citizens and the protection of democratic freedoms are more important than partisan political interests.
Signed:
Bright Yima Antyo
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Benue State
September 9, 2026