Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027, a coalition of leaders and stakeholders from the APC, PDP, and Labour Party, has strongly condemned the reported attack, harassment, and intimidation of Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the NDC, by thugs allegedly mobilised by agents of the Alia administration during his visit to Benue State.
The condemnation was contained in a press statement signed by Dr Dominic Alancha, the Publicity Secretary of the Strategic Alliance.
The statement reads below:
Peter Obi came to Benue to sympathise with families and communities devastated by the Yelwata massacre. Instead of compassion and hospitality, he was reportedly met with thuggery and intimidation. This represents executive lawlessness at its worst and a dangerous assault on democratic values.
The people of Benue are peaceful, hospitable, and respectful. Political differences have never been a licence for violence. The Alia administration must not confuse the possession of government power with ownership of Benue State. Benue belongs to its people, not to any individual or political clique.
The Alliance believes that elections are won through engagement, persuasion, credible structures, and the ballot box—not through thugs, threats, or intimidation. Those who cannot tolerate a political opponent visiting grieving communities have no moral authority to lecture anyone about democracy.
We call on all lovers of democracy to condemn this disturbing development and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, can move freely and exercise their constitutional rights in Benue State. No government or political group should use power to intimidate citizens or suppress legitimate political activities.
The Benue Strategic Alliance for Tinubu 2027 will continue to mobilise across party lines for democratic change and the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. Our commitment is to a democratic process in which political differences are resolved through dialogue, persuasion, participation, and the ballot box.
When Alia is replaced through the ballot box, we believe Benue will return to the principles of law, order, tolerance, accountability, and responsible governance. The people, and not political thugs or any individual political clique, must determine the future of Benue State.
Enough of executive lawlessness. Enough of political thuggery. Enough of intimidation. Benue belongs to its people.