Amnesty International has condemned the blocking of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, from entering Benue State, describing the action as an unlawful use of political thugs.
The rights group said the Benue State Government had questions to answer over what it called a brazen act of political repression, stressing that no Nigerian requires anyone’s permission to visit any part of the country at any time.
According to Amnesty International, heavily armed youths unlawfully barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital, in what it described as a coordinated plan that endangered the entourage of the opposition candidate.
The organisation said such harassment of rival candidates by state-endorsed armed groups was unlawful and called for alarming intolerance and incitement to be decisively addressed.
The group noted that it had, since last year, documented a pattern of political repression across some states, including the prevention of hotels from hosting opposition meetings and direct attacks on rival political activities.
Reacting to the incident, Mr. Obi said he travelled to Benue on a humanitarian mission to visit families affected by the killings in Yelwata, where over 270 people were reportedly massacred, but was prevented from proceeding after his convoy was blocked by thugs chanting against him.
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also condemned the incident, describing it as a dark day for Nigeria’s democracy, and urged the Benue State Government to identify and prosecute those responsible while guaranteeing the safety of the opposition candidate.
However, the Benue State Government denied any involvement, describing Mr. Obi’s claims as unfounded and a desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia into what it called an internal political matter within the NDC.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Kula, the state government said Governor Alia’s administration does not engage or deploy thugs as instruments of governance, adding that it relies on recognised security agencies to maintain peace and order.
The state government urged the public to disregard the allegations, insisting that Benue remains open to all legitimate visitors and political actors who come in peace.
