The Nasarawa Youths Vanguard has strongly condemned the attempted abduction, harassment, and intimidation of Professor Emmanuel Dandaura during the recent political primary election in Nasarawa State, describing the incident as a direct assault on democracy, civic freedom, and the dignity of responsible citizenship.
In a statement issued by the Director-General of the group, Comrade Monday Isah, the organisation expressed outrage over what it described as the activities of desperate political hoodlums and non-state actors bent on weaponising violence, intimidation, and mob pressure against respected citizens who refuse to compromise their integrity.
According to the group, the hoodlums were not even present at the venue of the primary election while voting and collation were taking place. However, upon hearing that the outcome of the election did not favour their preferred candidate, they reportedly mobilised in a white Hilux vehicle and laid ambush on the road for Professor Dandaura after the exercise.
The statement explained that the hoodlums attempted to forcefully compel the respected professor to accompany them back to the village so he could lend his respected name, credibility, and influence to their demand that the election result be altered in favour of their preferred candidate.
What reportedly began as persuasion quickly degenerated into harassment, intimidation, and attempted coercion when Professor Dandaura firmly refused to support any attempt to manipulate the democratic process. He reportedly explained to them that elections must reflect the will of party members and that no individual, regardless of status, should interfere with the integrity of a democratic exercise.
The group noted that Professor Dandaura was neither an electoral official nor an agent of any candidate. He merely returned to his hometown to discharge his civic responsibility as a respected member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), like every other eligible citizen.
The Nasarawa Youths Vanguard further described Professor Dandaura as one of the most respected intellectuals and public communication scholars from the Mada Nation and Nasarawa State at large.
“Professor Emmanuel Dandaura made history as the first son of the Mada Nation to attain the rank of professor over twenty years ago. Since then, he has continued to distinguish himself nationally and internationally through scholarship, mentorship, public service, peace advocacy, and community development,” the statement noted.
The group added that throughout his over 37 years of public life as an academic, Professor Dandaura has built a reputation anchored on integrity, discipline, humility, intellectual excellence, and principled leadership. It stressed that he has consistently promoted dialogue, democratic values, youth empowerment, and peaceful coexistence across communities.
“People like Professor Dandaura are assets to society. They represent the moral and intellectual credibility that communities depend upon for guidance and stability. Attempting to intimidate or harass such a figure simply because he refused to compromise democratic principles is disgraceful and dangerous,” the group stated.
The organisation warned that condoning such acts of attempted abduction, harassment, intimidation, and theft would amount to encouraging political hooliganism and discouraging decent, credible, and highly respected citizens from participating in politics and democratic activities.
“If respected and accomplished individuals like Professor Dandaura cannot freely participate in the democratic process without being ambushed or harassed by political thugs, then democracy itself is under threat,” the statement added.
The group also condemned what it described as deliberate attempts by some individuals on social media to circulate false narratives aimed at distorting the facts surrounding the incident.
Nasarawa Youths Vanguard therefore called on security agencies to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure that all identified persons involved are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“No citizen should be subjected to intimidation, harassment, or violence for exercising a lawful democratic right. Politics must never descend into criminality and mob action,” Comrade Isah stated.
The group further warned that if no visible action is taken by relevant authorities within the next 48 hours, it would commence legal proceedings against all identified individuals connected to the incident.
“We shall not fold our arms and watch hoodlums intimidate respected citizens and undermine democracy in our communities. The law must take its course,” the statement concluded.