Blockade of NDC presidential candidate’s convoy in Benue condemnable –Makinde’s aide
…Says APC desperate to silence opposition ahead 2027
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has condemned the reported attack on the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, in Benue State during the week.
Special Adviser (Media and Digital Communication) to the presidential candidate of the APM, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Anthony Ehilebo, gave the party’s position in a statement on Thursday.
“We strongly condemn the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the presidential candidate of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), former governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8th.
“The incident, in which Mr. Obi’s convoy was obstructed by a group of suspected state-sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing, totally unacceptable, and marks a new low in the desperation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is, particularly, worrisome that this targeted attack came barely 24 hours after Mr. Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with our principal, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7th.
“Expectedly, the ruling APC, overburdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians, is seriously afraid and completely rattled by the latest political developments; hence, the resort to barbaric tactics, including intimidation, harassment and unlawful obstructing of legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders.
“Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the freedom to move around the country or reside in any part thereof.
“Also, Section 40 of the constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely assemble and associate.
“We, therefore, find it completely unacceptable and condemnable, the statement credited to the Benue State government that the NDC presidential candidate did not seek prior permission from the state government before his visit.
“Let us make it clear: Every Nigerian, whether presidential candidate or not, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct his or her legitimate activity without any prior permission or notice.
“Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy.
“We, therefore, demand that the Nigerian Police immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book, in the overall interest of our democracy.
“As a campaign team, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process, but it is important to state that we shall not be deterred nor cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible,” Ehilebo said.
