The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has called on the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, to apologise to the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, President Bola Tinubu, the people of Benue State and the party in general over the attack and blockade of Obi’s movement to Makurdi on Tuesday.

The party, which condemned the attack on Obi, said the incident was capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

Obi was in the state to sympathise with families and communities devastated by the Yelwata massacre before he was blocked by some youths.

However, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, accused Obi of not notifying the state government of his visit.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, in a statement issued on Monday, had expressed doubts over Obi’s planned visit to the state and stated that Governor Hyacinth Alia does not patronise thugs.

Daniel Ihomun, the state publicity secretary of the Agada-led faction loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

The party said the ugly incident was not part of the culture of the people of the state, stating that Benue people are hospitable, peaceful and respectful.

“We welcome visitors and accord them dignity, regardless of their political affiliation. The Alia administration, which authorised or sponsored this disgraceful conduct, does not speak for the people of Benue.

“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.

“His visit should have been received with civility and respect. Instead, the reported deployment of thugs to disrupt his movement is a shameful display of intolerance that has no place in a democratic society.”

The party appealed to the Igbo community living in the state not to use the incident against it in the forthcoming election, stating that the ugly development was alien to Benue.

The statement read in parts: “The Igbo community who live peacefully and happily among us in Benue State should understand that this emerging culture of political violence allegedly associated with the Alia administration is a strange phenomenon, unknown to our political history, and must not be allowed to be used against the APC in the 2027 elections in Benue State.

“Benue people are hospitable, peaceful and respectful. We welcome visitors and accord them dignity, regardless of their political affiliation. The Alia administration, which authorised or sponsored this disgraceful conduct, does not speak for the people of Benue.

“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. The disturbing resurgence of thuggery under the Alia administration is unacceptable and must be rejected by all lovers of peace and democracy.”

The party said that since it started winning elections in the state, it had not used thugs and promised not to use thugs to win the 2027 elections.

“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 read further.

The party, however, called on the governor to apologise to Peter Obi, the President, the people of the state and the APC.

“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 statement read in part. (Nigerian Tribune)