Atiku also called on the relevant authorities to urgently “investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable”.
By Kehinde Okeowo
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has described the blockage of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, by some youths in Benue State as a “violent attack”.
He condemned the incident on Wednesday in a statement signed and made available to journalists by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo.
On Tuesday, 3 September, suspected thugs allegedly sponsored by the state government blocked Obi’s convoy from entering the state for a humanitarian outreach in Yelwata.
Speaking at the scene, the former Anambra State governor decried the state of Nigerian politics, clarifying that his presence in the state was strictly humanitarian rather than campaign-driven.
He said: “I am here in a place where people have been killed. I am here to commiserate with them, but now I have been told that youth sponsored by the governor have blocked the road to make sure I do not go in.”
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The Benue State Government, however, denied sponsoring the suspected political thugs, saying it was unaware of Obi’s visit to the state.
In a statement issued after the incident, Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, described the allegation as an attempt to drag the governor and Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the NDC.
He wrote: “We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has any idea of what Mr Obi is talking about.”
Reacting to the saga, Atiku “strongly condemns the violent attack on Peter Obi” and described the incident as “unacceptable, anti-democratic and deeply shameful”.
He went on to claim that the NDC presidential candidate was “brutally prevented from reaching bereaved families of Yelwata, Benue State, to offer his condolences over the persistent terrorist attacks on them.”
Atiku further called on the relevant authorities to urgently “investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable and ensure the safety and freedom of political leaders to carry out their duties without intimidation.”
