The Benue State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, expressed grave concern over what it called the continued destruction, removal and vandalisation of its campaign materials, including banners, billboards and other party properties across the state.
The latest incident, the party said, involved the destruction of a PDP billboard in Ajio, Ishangev-Ya in Kwande West State Constituency, describing the incidents as “Deeply troubling and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms”.
The PDP said it “Considers such acts a dangerous affront to democratic values and an attempt to undermine the right of political parties and their supporters in the state to freely canvass for votes.
“Political contests in a democracy should be conducted through the exchange of ideas, programmes, performance and capacity, not through intimidation, provocation, thuggery or the destruction of opponents’ lawful campaign materials.
“The PDP is a peaceful, responsible and law-abiding political organisation. Over the years, our party has demonstrated remarkable restraint, tolerance and commitment to peaceful political engagement, even in the face of provocations.
“However, such tolerance must not be mistaken for weakness”.
The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Bright Yima Antyo, “called on the security agencies in the state to treat the continuous destruction of political materials with the seriousness it deserves, thoroughly investigate the incidents and bring anyone found culpable to justice, irrespective of their political affiliation or status.
“We equally call on the State Government and all political leaders to caution their supporters against acts capable of heightening political tension and undermining the peace of our communities.
“Every political party has a legitimate right to campaign, display its materials and seek the support of the electorate within the bounds of the law”.
It reaffirmed its commitment to continue to pursue its political objectives peacefully and democratically, but will, however, “Not remain silent in the face of a sustained pattern of intimidation, vandalisation and destruction of our lawful properties.
“Any necessary action to protect our members, supporters and party materials will be pursued strictly within the ambit of the law”.
The PDP urged its teeming members and supporters, particularly in Kwande and other parts of the state, to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, and must not allow the actions of agents of provocation to derail our commitment to a peaceful democratic process.
The party reiterated its commitment to issue-based campaigns, peaceful political engagement and the defence of democratic values.
“No act of vandalism, intimidation or provocation can extinguish the legitimate aspirations of our members or silence the voice of the electorate.
It admonished all political actors to play by the rules, respect the rights of other political parties and allow the people to freely make their choices at the ballot box.
It could be recalled that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alfred Berger, recently led other APC supporters to allegedly burn down campaign materials, including T-shirts belonging to the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, in Makurdi, the state capital.
