Political Firestorm: Aondoakaa Urges Supporters to Remain Calm After Campaign Materials Torched
The PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has called for peace and non-retaliation after his campaign materials were burned. He urged his supporters to remain calm and committed to the principles of justice and the rule of law, emphasizing that politics should be about ideas and solutions, not violence.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, has issued a strong appeal to his supporters, urging them to maintain peace and refrain from retaliating after his campaign materials were reportedly burned by an opponent. Aondoakaa, while unequivocally condemning the act, reiterated that his campaign is firmly rooted in principles of peace, security, justice, tolerance, and the rule of law.
In a statement released on Saturday, Aondoakaa highlighted the PDP's commitment to presenting itself as a credible alternative to the people of Benue State. He emphasized that politics, in his view, should revolve around ideas, solutions, and service, rather than hatred, intimidation, or violence. He expressed deep concern over the reports and images of the burned campaign materials, stating, “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.”
Aondoakaa called upon all his supporters across the 23 local government areas of Benue State to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. He explicitly instructed them, “Do not 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.”
Further elaborating on the importance of maintaining peace, the statement underscored that “The price of peace is far cheaper than the cost of violence. Peace builds; violence destroys. Peace unites; violence divides. Peace creates hope; violence leaves pain. No matter the provocation, choose peace.” Aondoakaa also addressed the potential motives behind such provocations, suggesting that those seeking to incite anger and disorder aim to distract his campaign from its core message, create confusion, and paint all parties with the same brush. He concluded by urging his supporters not to provide such individuals with that opportunity, asserting, “We must disappoint those who expect us to respond with bitterness and violence.”