Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The All Progressives Congress APC, Benue State Chapter, strongly condemned the reported attack and harassment by thugs mobilised by agents of the Alia administration against Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, during his visit to Benue yesterday to sympathise with families and communities devastated by the Yelwata massacre.
This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to journalists by the Benue State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Dan Morgan Ihomun.
The statement reads:
This is not Benue. This is not our culture. And this is not the APC. Mr Peter Obi came to Benue in a moment of grief to identify with victims of one of the most painful tragedies suffered by our people in the hands of Armed Fulani herdsmen. His visit should have been received with civility and respect. Instead, the reported deployment of thugs to disrupt his movement is a shameful display of intolerance that has no place in a democratic society.
The Igbo community who live peacefully and happily among us in Benue State should understand that this emerging culture of political violence allegedly associated with the Alia administration is a strange phenomenon, unknown to our political history, and must not be allowed to be used against the APC in the 2027 elections in Benue State. Benue people are hospitable, peaceful and respectful. We welcome visitors and accord them dignity, regardless of their political affiliation. The Alia administration which authorised or sponsored this disgraceful conduct does not speak for the people of Benue.
The APC will not be lectured on thuggery. When our party assumed office in 2015 through the mandate of Benue people, we worked to restore peace and dismantle the culture of political thuggery that had taken root in the state. The disturbing resurgence of thuggery under the Alia administration is unacceptable and must be rejected by all lovers of peace and democracy.
The APC in Benue does not use thugs and we do not need thugs to win the 2027 elections. We will win through the people, through our structures, through persuasion and through the ballot box. Whoever believes that intimidation and violence can secure political power in 2027 is living in the past.
Governor Hyacinth Alia must therefore immediately apologise to Mr Peter Obi, apologise to our peace-loving President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the good people of Benue State and apologise to the APC for conduct that has the potential to bring the party into disrepute. Political differences are legitimate, political violence is not. Benue deserves better.