Kwankwaso Condemns Attack On Peter Obi’s Convoy In Benue

Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has condemned the reported attack on the convoy of the Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi in Benue State.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was reportedly prevented from entering Makurdi on Tuesday when a stick-wielding mob blocked his convoy along Gboko Road, the route linking the airport to the town.

Videos shared on X by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed a group of people allegedly chasing the convoy and obstructing its movement.

In one of the videos, Umoh said the road had been completely blocked and alleged that the mob was opposed to Obi entering the town.

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“This is Gboko road; the entire road is blocked. We just touched down, and this is the only road from the airport into town. They said Peter Obi is not coming into the town to see the people he wanted to see. This is not acceptable. We should be able to do politics without going this low,” she said.

The incident has generated reactions over the circumstances surrounding Obi’s movement and the identity of those responsible for the blockade.

However, the Benue State Government denied involvement in the incident.

Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, told TheCable that he was unaware of the incident and said the state government had no knowledge of Obi’s visit.

Kula also rejected allegations that the government could have sponsored thugs to prevent the former Anambra governor from entering the state.

“We are not aware whether he is in the state or not. If the Benue state government is to stop anybody, including Peter Obi, why would the Benue state government go and use thugs? Benue government doesn’t do that. I think it is just one of the lies they are trying to bring upon my principal,” he said.

Obi later clarified that his visit to Benue was not connected to campaign activities but was intended to sympathise with victims of insecurity in the state.

“I am in Benue not for a campaign. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives and console them, show solidarity with them. But you can see the level at which our politics has degenerated,” Obi said.

The NDC presidential candidate also referred to his attendance at the launch of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, presidential campaign office in Abuja on Monday, describing it as part of his commitment to peaceful political engagement.

“We have no other country except this place, and we will build it on unity and love with a sense of doing the right thing,” Obi added.

Reacting to the development, Kwankwaso, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, described the incident as disturbing and called for those responsible to be prosecuted.

“I am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State,” Kwankwaso said.

He alleged that the incident involved the “deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements” to block and attack Obi’s convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi.

Kwankwaso said such an incident represented “another dark day for our democracy”, stressing that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of movement.

“The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted,” he said.

He also called on the government to guarantee the safety and free movement of Obi and members of his entourage.

“I further urge the President to caution state governors, particularly those in his party against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy,” Kwankwaso added.