Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State for the 2027 election, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has appealed to his supporters to remain calm and avoid violence following the reported burning of campaign materials bearing his image.
Aondoakaa made the appeal in a statement issued in Makurdi on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after images and videos circulated showing individuals burning campaign T-shirts associated with his political movement.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice condemned the incident but urged his supporters across Benue State’s 23 local government areas not to retaliate.
Campaign Materials Burnt
According to reports published by Punch and Idoma Voice, the incident involved campaign T-shirts bearing Aondoakaa’s image.
Punch reported that a video circulating in the state showed individuals pouring petrol on the T-shirts before setting them alight. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the identities and affiliations of those involved, have not been independently established.
A separate report by Benue Today alleged that supporters linked to Benue State House of Assembly Speaker Alfred Emberga were involved in the incident. However, that allegation remains unverified, and there was no public response from Emberga or the state government in the report reviewed by Weng Global.
Aondoakaa himself did not publicly identify those responsible in the statement reported by Punch.
Aondoakaa Calls for Restraint
Aondoakaa said he had received reports and seen images of the destruction of materials belonging to his movement.
Rather than calling for a confrontation, he urged supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
He specifically directed supporters not to retaliate, destroy opponents’ campaign materials or participate in violence.
The appeal comes as political activity begins to intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Benue State.
Aondoakaa said his political movement, known as BENUE FIRST, was built around peace, security, justice, tolerance and respect for the rule of law. Punch reported that he argued political competition should focus on ideas, solutions and public service rather than intimidation or violence.
PDP Candidate Warns Against Retaliation
The PDP candidate urged his supporters not to allow what he described as provocation to divert attention from their political objectives.
He also appealed to supporters to respect political opponents and the democratic process.
The message is significant because retaliatory destruction of campaign materials could further escalate tensions between competing political groups as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
By asking supporters not to respond with violence, Aondoakaa has sought to frame the incident as an issue to be handled through peaceful political engagement and the rule of law.
Aondoakaa’s 2027 Candidacy
Aondoakaa was formally affirmed as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue election at a party congress in May 2026. He emerged from a consensus process involving party stakeholders and other aspirants.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation has subsequently remained at the centre of the PDP’s preparations for the election.
In July, the Benue PDP also rejected claims that Aondoakaa was constitutionally disqualified from contesting, insisting that he remained the party’s candidate.
His candidacy has also been the subject of political disputes and competing narratives. In August, former Governor Samuel Ortom dismissed reports that PDP leaders were considering replacing Aondoakaa with another candidate, reaffirming him as the party’s duly nominated candidate.
Political Tensions Ahead of 2027
The latest incident comes against a backdrop of increasing political activity in Benue ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Aondoakaa’s PDP campaign is expected to compete against other political forces seeking control of the state, including the incumbent administration and its political allies.
The burning of campaign materials, if established to have been deliberate, would add another dimension to concerns about political conduct during the pre-election period.
However, responsibility for the incident should not be assigned without evidence. While videos and allegations circulating online may provide leads for an investigation, they do not by themselves establish who ordered, organised or carried out the destruction.
Why the Incident Matters
Campaign materials are a visible part of political competition, but disputes over them can become more significant when they are accompanied by threats, intimidation or violence.
Nigeria’s electoral framework places emphasis on peaceful political participation and respect for competing candidates and parties. Political actors and their supporters therefore have a responsibility to avoid actions that could heighten tensions during election preparations.
For Benue, where political competition is already intensifying ahead of 2027, the response of political leaders to incidents such as this could influence the broader atmosphere surrounding campaigns.
Aondoakaa’s decision to publicly urge supporters against retaliation also places the focus on how his campaign and other political groups respond to future provocations.
What Happens Next
The immediate question is whether authorities will investigate the reported destruction of the campaign materials and establish the circumstances behind the incident.
As of September 26, reports reviewed by Weng Global had not established an official investigation or identified anyone as responsible.
The allegation involving Speaker Alfred Emberga also remains unverified, and no response from him or the Benue State Government was identified in the sources reviewed.
For now, Aondoakaa has called on his supporters to remain disciplined and peaceful as the political contest develops.
The broader test will be whether political parties, candidates, supporters and state institutions can maintain peaceful competition and address disputes through established legal and democratic channels ahead of the 2027 election.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch
- Idoma Voice
- Vanguard
- TheCable
- Benue Today
