NEWS
Benue APC Demands Alia’s Apology Over Attack on Peter Obi’s Convoy
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to publicly apologise over the reported attack and blockade of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during his visit to the state.
The party said the incident, which occurred on Tuesday while Obi was travelling towards Makurdi, had the potential to cause serious damage to the image and reputation of the APC, insisting that such conduct must not be allowed to become associated with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, specifically demanded that Governor Alia apologise to Obi, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the people of Benue State and the APC over the incident.
Obi had travelled to Benue to sympathise with families and communities affected by the Yelwata massacre, one of the recent deadly attacks that has heightened concerns over insecurity and the safety of communities in the state. His visit, however, was reportedly disrupted when suspected political thugs allegedly obstructed his convoy.
The development has since triggered political accusations and counter-accusations between different camps in the state, with the Benue State Government questioning the circumstances surrounding Obi’s visit.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said the state government was not informed about Obi’s visit. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, had also earlier expressed doubts about the planned visit and maintained that Governor Alia did not patronise thugs.
The position of the government has, however, been rejected by the APC faction associated with Senator Akume, which condemned the reported incident and described it as completely inconsistent with Benue’s long-standing culture of hospitality.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, disclosed the position in a statement issued on Wednesday, expressing concern that Obi was allegedly subjected to hostility at a time when he had travelled to the state to commiserate with victims of a devastating tragedy.
“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 at the hands of armed Fulani herdsmen,” the statement said.
The APC faction accused the Alia administration of authorising or sponsoring the alleged deployment of thugs, describing such an action, if established, as an unacceptable manifestation of political intolerance.
It further warned that the incident could create unnecessary tension among political groups and communities, particularly the Igbo community in Benue, urging members of the community not to interpret the alleged attack as the official position of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the party, any attempt to associate the APC with political violence would be contrary to its record and the efforts it claimed to have made since taking control of the state in 2015 to curb political thuggery.
The party maintained that political disagreements were a normal feature of democratic politics but insisted that such disagreements should never degenerate into intimidation, harassment or physical violence.
“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,” it said.
The party also sought to reassure its members and supporters that it would not resort to violence as the 2027 elections approach, stressing that its campaign would be based on political structures, persuasion and the support of voters.
“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,” the statement added.
The APC consequently called on Governor Alia to publicly distance his administration and the party from the reported attack and take steps to restore confidence among political stakeholders.
“Governor Hyacinth Alia must therefore 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 party stated.