The Benue State chapter of All Progressives Congress APC, continues to exhibit signs of irreparable damage to its body polity with the strident condemnation, yesterday by the faction loyal to the SGF Geoerge Akume of Tuesday's attacks on Peter Obi, presidential candidate of NDC during a condolence visit to Yelwata. Even Governor Hyacinth Aia's media managers insisted that Obi's visit was unauthorized in the face of evidence that the Benue NDC officially informed the police, DSS and other security agencies of the intended visit. This was also confirmed by the party's candidate in next year's governorship election in Benue State Prof. Terhemba Shija who told news men that he had personally delivered letters to heads of the security agencies in Makurdi to that effect. Contrary to statements by Solomom Iorpev and Tersoo Kula, Alia's information Commissioner and chief press secretary respectively, the Benue APC in an official statement said it "strongly condemns 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." Signed by Daniel Ihomun, State Publicity Secretary, APC Benue State and dated 9th September 2026, the statement continued: "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." The attacks continue to draw widespread condemnation across the world, focusing negative attention on Benue State ahead the 2027 elections. Many fear that the large Igbo community resident in Makurdi and other parts of Benue State may mobilize security around Peter Obi on his next visit in keeping with his promise that "I will always come back to Benue; it is my home, as is everywhere else in Nigeria." Amnesty International similarly condemned the Benue State government's sponsored attacks on Obi, warning that the do not ported well for the development of democracy in Nigeria.

Posted: 1month ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026