Yesufu noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already lifted the ban on political campaigns.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has expressed outrage at reports that youth backed by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, blocked the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, from entering the state.
The NDC chieftain made her feelings known after several media outlets reported the alleged blockade of Obi’s convoy, preventing him from entering the Yelwata Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Benue.
TheNiche had earlier reported that suspected political thugs on Tuesday blocked the convoy of the NDC presidential candidate following his arrival in Benue State.
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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However, a statement issued after the incident by Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, described the allegations as unfounded and a desperate attempt to drag the governor ‘and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).’
”We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has any idea of what Mr Obi is talking about,” he wrote.
Wading into the saga, Yesufu stated that no individual or group should decide where political candidates can or cannot campaign in Nigeria.
She further noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already lifted the ban on political campaigns.
”How dare anybody stop anyone from moving to any part of the country to campaign?” Yesufu said.
She added, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared that campaigning has started. How can someone stop another from doing whatever it is that they need to do?”
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