The Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in the strongest terms the disturbing action captured in a viral video showing the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga, directing his supporters to pour petrol on and burn campaign T-shirts bearing the image of the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa.
This condemnation was contained in a press statement signed by Bright Yima, the PDP State Publicity Secretary in Benue State.
“What Benue people witnessed in the said video was not merely the burning of campaign materials. It was a symbolic attack on democracy, political plurality and the constitutional rights of citizens to freely associate with and support candidates of their choice.
“It is alarming that such a thuggish act is coming from the Speaker of the State Assembly, a man expected to uphold the law, defend democratic values and promote peaceful coexistence among the people, regardless of political affiliation.
“This development did not occur in isolation. It is part of an emerging pattern of intolerance, intimidation and hostility towards dissenting voices. Benue people will recall previous statements attributed to Speaker Emberga in which he publicly encouraged supporters to confront critics of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“This is not the first time Berger is inciting people into violence. The other time, he was seen telling his supporters that if anyone criticises Governor Alia, even if the person is in a church, the church event should be disrupted.
“The public may also recall that Governor Alia has at different times threatened to cut off the fingers of his critics and also bite and chew the hands of those who disagree with him. Living up to the true meaning of its character, appointees and supporters of the Alia administration have on many occasions disrupted public gatherings, including those in churches.
“The Speaker and Governor Alia are on the same page as intolerant leaders who have no business being in government to lead a state with diverse political camps and views. Alia himself has at different times threatened to cut off the finger of anyone who criticises his administration.
“The PDP is particularly disturbed because the action displayed in the viral video bears all the dangerous hallmarks of political extremism targeting members of the opposition in the state”.
The party regretted that the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, has reduced the office of Speaker to that of a rubber stamp, surrendering the independence and dignity of the Benue State House of Assembly in exchange for blind loyalty to Governor Hyacinth Alia, stressing that rather than providing leadership or championing the interests of the people, he has chosen to encourage divisive and irresponsible conduct among youths while remaining silent on the issues that truly matter to Benue people.
