Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the alleged attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State.
Sowore described the incident as an apparent “state-sponsored blockade and attack,” and warned those responsible that they were “playing with fire” by undermining the democratic rights of Nigerians.
According to him, the government of Governor Hyacinth Alia has behaved irresponsibly by sponsoring political thugs to attack the NDC presidential candidate.
In a statement posted on his social media handles on Tuesday, Sowore said he had watched videos purportedly showing the incident as Obi attempted to enter Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
He accused agents of the Benue State Government and the administration of President Bola Tinubu of engaging in political brigandage.
The human rights activist insisted that no presidential candidate should be prevented from moving freely or carrying out legitimate political activities through violence or intimidation.
“I have watched videos showing what appears to be a state-sponsored blockade and attack on NDC presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi as he attempted to enter the state capital to carry out legitimate campaign activities,” Sowore said.
He added, “I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable.
“No candidate should be prevented through violence, intimidation or state-sponsored thuggery from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria.
“Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians. They must desist immediately before it is too late.”
The reaction followed reports that suspected thugs allegedly blocked a major access road shortly after Obi arrived in Benue, preventing his convoy from proceeding into Makurdi.
The incident reportedly generated tension as the former Anambra State governor attempted to visit victims of the recent violence in Yelwata.
Obi, while reacting to the development, lamented what he described as the declining quality of political engagement in Nigeria.
He maintained that his visit to Benue was humanitarian and not primarily campaign-related, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to override the need for national unity.
“You can see the level to which our politics has degenerated,” Obi said.