THE 2027  Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN has described the attack on the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Party (NDC) Mr Peter Obi as disgraceful in a democracy and direct affront to the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

Chief Aondoakaa in a statement by his media assistant James Ian condemned the attack which took place in Makurdi and  allegedly carried out by thugs led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youths.

Mr. Obi was in Benue State to engage with stakeholders of the NDC and to visit survivors of the Yelewata massacre, where over 200 innocent lives were allegedly killed and properties worth millions of naira destroyed last year.

The former Attorney General of the Federation warned  that   the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement, association, and political participation stressing that no individual, group, or government has the authority to deny any Nigerian access to any part of the country on account of political affiliation.

The PDP chieftain  further observed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly emphasized that all presidential and candidates for other positions, their political parties and leaders must be free to travel across the country to canvass for support and engage with citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate states that any attempt to obstruct, intimidate, or attack a political leader exercising that right runs contrary to the spirit of democratic competition and undermines the President’s call for a peaceful and inclusive political process.

He said the  incident also constitutes a violation of the recently signed peace accord by political actors, under which parties and candidates committed themselves to conduct issue-based campaigns, refrain from violence, and allow opponents to move freely and interact with voters without harassment, intimidation, or attacks. He says democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas, not on violence and political intolerance.

Chief Aondoakaa expresses concern that the ugly incident portrays Benue State in a very negative light before the nation and the international community. He states that the actions of a few politically motivated individuals do not represent the character, values, and culture of the people of Benue State.

“Benue people are renowned for their hospitality, civility, and respect for visitors. Our state has always welcomed people from different political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. The attack on Mr. Peter Obi is therefore inconsistent with the true identity of our people and should be condemned by all lovers of democracy irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further laments that at a time when Benue people are mourning the loss of hundreds of innocent citizens to incessant attacks and grappling with widespread insecurity, the state government appears unable to prevent violence against its own people but quick to unleash political actors against visitors and opponents.

He insisted that no responsible government should tolerate, encourage, or be associated with acts of thuggery, intimidation, and harassment against political opponents or visitors to the state.

Chief Aondoakaa therefore called on security agencies to immediately conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice regardless of their status or political connections.

He called on Benue people to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to democratic principles, stressing that violence, intimidation, and political thuggery have no place in the state’s political future.