ALIA URGES POLITICIANS TO SHUN VIOLENCE AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS AS PDP CHALLENGES GOVERNOR
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged politicians and their supporters to shun violence, hostility and inflammatory statements ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling for issue-based campaigns that promote democracy, peaceful coexistence and development.
The governor made the appeal on Sunday during the burial of Cephas Rijam Nyinya Akpam at Tse Akpam, Mbade, Binev, Tombo, in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.
Alia expressed concern over the growing use of violence and hostility by some political actors in pursuit of their ambitions, stressing that elections should provide platforms for candidates to present their policies, ideas and development plans rather than create division and confrontation.
He urged politicians to conduct their campaigns with maturity, mutual respect and a sense of responsibility, warning that political disagreements must not threaten the safety and peace of communities.
The governor also called on residents to reject violence and prioritise issues affecting their welfare and the future of the state when making political choices.
Alia, however, appealed for continued support for his second-term ambition, saying another mandate would enable his administration to consolidate its achievements and complete ongoing development projects.
Reacting to the governor’s appeal, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged him to demonstrate his commitment to ending political violence by first cautioning his supporters.
In a statement, the party’s spokesperson, Bright Yima Antyo, urged Alia to ensure that his aides, appointees and supporters refrain from intimidating political opponents.
The PDP maintained that leadership required more than preaching peace to opposition parties, insisting that those in government must demonstrate their commitment through their actions and guarantee justice for all.
“If the Governor is truly against political violence, then we task him to prove it by cautioning his own supporters first,” the statement said.
The party further urged the governor to publicly warn his aides, appointees and supporters against intimidation, thuggery, destruction of opponents’ billboards and attacks on campaign gatherings, insisting that anyone found culpable should face sanctions regardless of their closeness to the government.
It also called on Alia to ensure that security agencies remained neutral and were not used to harass or intimidate opposition members while shielding supporters of the ruling government.
The opposition party stressed that police and other security agencies must protect all residents equally, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“A government that uses state power to silence dissent is itself promoting violence,” the PDP added.
The party further argued that issue-based campaigns could only thrive in an environment where freedom of speech, assembly and equal access to public spaces were guaranteed.
It therefore urged the Benue State Government to allow opposition parties to campaign freely across the state without fear of attacks or denial of access to campaign venues.
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