By Benue Info-pedia Editorial Desk 

Benue PDP governorship candidate Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has appealed for restraint after campaign materials bearing his image were reportedly set ablaze in parts of the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State for the 2027 election, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid retaliation following reports that campaign materials belonging to his political movement were destroyed.

Aondoakaa made the appeal in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday.

The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said the appeal followed reports and images showing campaign T-shirts bearing his image being soaked with petrol and set on fire.

A video of the incident has circulated on social media, attracting reactions from residents and political observers. However, the identity of those involved and the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently established.

Aondoakaa, while condemning the destruction of the materials, specifically asked his supporters across Benue's 23 local government areas not to respond with violence or destroy the campaign materials of political opponents.

“I have received reports and seen images of the burning of campaign materials belonging to our movement,” he said, describing the development as unfortunate.

He said his campaign would remain committed to what he described as “peace, security, justice, tolerance, and the rule of law,” arguing that political competition should focus on ideas, solutions and public service rather than intimidation or violence.

The candidate also warned supporters against allowing provocation to distract them from the campaign's message.

“Do not retaliate. Do not destroy anyone’s campaign materials. Do not engage in violence,” Aondoakaa said.

He further argued that the strength of his “Benue First” movement should not be measured by posters, banners, billboards or other campaign materials, but by the ideas and aspirations of its supporters.

“Campaign materials can be destroyed, but the aspirations of the people cannot be burned,” he said.

The incident comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election continue to intensify in Benue. Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP's governorship candidate earlier in the year and has since been presenting his political platform around issues including security, agriculture, jobs, justice and accountable governance. His campaign's official platform similarly identifies security, agriculture, enterprise, education, health and accountable governance among its priorities.

The destruction of campaign materials adds another episode to an increasingly active political environment in the state. Recent campaign activities by different political actors have included grassroots mobilisation, public engagements and competing messages about governance and development.

For now, the available account establishes that campaign materials were reportedly burned and that Aondoakaa has called on his supporters to remain peaceful. It does not, on its own, establish who carried out the act, why it happened or whether any political organisation authorised it.

Those questions would require further verification from witnesses, security agencies or other independently identifiable sources.

As campaigning develops ahead of the 2027 election, incidents involving campaign materials are likely to attract public attention. The response from political actors, security authorities and political parties will therefore remain relevant to assessing the broader atmosphere of political competition in Benue.

For residents, the immediate issue is not simply the destruction of T-shirts or other campaign materials, but whether political disagreements can be managed without intimidation, retaliation or violence.

Aondoakaa's appeal places the responsibility for restraint directly on his supporters, while the circumstances surrounding the reported burning remain subject to further verification.