THE Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic party (PDP) in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) has pleaded with his supporters to resist provocations designed and executed to trigger them into violent reactions.

The call is coming on the heels of destruction of his campaign bill boards across the state and intimidation of his supporters.

In a message entitled: “let peace be our response to production”, chief Aondoakaa said “I have received reports and seen images of the burning of campaign materials belonging to our movement. Like many of you, I am deeply concerned by this unfortunate development. However, I wish to state clearly and unequivocally that no act of provocation, no matter how offensive, should cause us to abandon the principles upon which our campaign is founded.

“From the very beginning, our movement has stood for peace, security, justice, tolerance, and the rule of law. We have presented ourselves to the people of Benue as a credible alternative because we believe that  politics should be about ideas, solutions, and service; not hatred, intimidation, or violence.

“I therefore call on all my supporters across the 23 local government areas of our dear state to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. I urge not to retaliate. Do not destroy anyone’s campaign materials. Do not engage in violence. Do not allow yourselves to be provoked into actions that will tarnish the noble cause we represent under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

In the message he personally signed , the PDP chieftain said the price of peace is far cheaper than the cost of violence.

Stressing that “Peace builds; violence destroys. Peace unites; violence divides. Peace creates hope; violence leaves pain. No matter the provocation, please  choose peace.

“It is crystal clear that  those  seeking  to provoke us into anger and disorder have a purpose. They want to distract us from our message. They want to create confusion and paint everyone with the same brush, we must not give them that opportunity.

“We must disappoint those who expect us to respond with bitterness and violence , we must exercise restraint and maintain our identity as lovers of peace .”

The former Attorney General of the Federation and minister of Justice said his campaign team and supporters  cannot be drawn into what they  do not represent.

” we will continue to have issues based engagement and speak directly to those things that agitates the minds of the Benue people and how we will fix them if elected .

“Let me put on the record, that the strength of our movement christened BENUE FIRST does not lie in posters, banners, billboards, or campaign materials. Its strength lies in the conviction of the people, in our shared vision for a safer and more prosperous Benue, and in our collective determination to restore hope to our state.
“Campaign materials can be destroyed, but the aspirations of the people cannot be burned. The desire for peace cannot be set ablaze. The demand for good governance cannot be intimidated into silence.

“It is on this note, that I urge every supporter of our movement to remain focused on the values that brought us together. Let us continue to demonstrate respect for the law, respect for our opponents, and respect for the democratic process. Let us show Benue people that there is a clear difference between a movement that seeks to inspire and one that seeks to intimidate; between a movement that builds and one that destroys; between a movement guided by peace and one driven by hostility.

“Throughout my public life, I have sought to stand on the side of justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence. I remain committed to those ideals today. I believe that Benue State deserves politics that unites rather than divides, politics that protects rather than persecutes, and politics that offers hope rather than fear.

“I therefore appeal to all our supporters: resist every temptation to retaliate. Resist every act of provocation. Remain peaceful. Remain disciplined. Remain focused. Let our conduct speak louder than their actions. Let our commitment to peace be our answer to intolerance. Let our faith in democracy be stronger than any attempt to undermine it.

“History will judge all of us not by how loudly we spoke in moments of provocation, but by how responsibly we acted. Let us choose the path of peace. Let us choose the path of justice. Let us choose the path of a better Benue.”