Sowore condemns alleged attack on Obi, accuses Benue govt of political thuggery

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the alleged blockade of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State.

Sowore accused agents of the Benue State Government and the Bola Tinubu administration of using thuggery to frustrate Obi’s movement in the state, describing the incident as a threat to democratic rights.

“I have watched videos showing what appears to be a state-sponsored blockade and attack on NDC presidential candidate @PeterObi as he attempted to enter the state capital to carry out legitimate campaign activities,” Sowore said in a statement.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday along Gboko Road, where a group of stick-wielding individuals blocked Obi’s convoy as he attempted to access the state.

Videos shared by Obi’s photographer, Esther Umoh, showed the group obstructing the road and moving towards the convoy.

Umoh said the road was the only route from the airport into town and claimed the development prevented Obi from reaching people he intended to visit.

The Benue State Government, however, denied any involvement in the incident.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, said the government was unaware of Obi’s presence in the state and rejected the suggestion that it would deploy thugs to stop him.

“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,” Kula said.

Obi later said his visit to Benue was not campaign-related, explaining that he intended to visit victims of insecurity and express solidarity with affected communities.

“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,” he said.

Reacting to the incident, Sowore said political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into violence or intimidation.

“I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable,” he said.

Sowore maintained that every presidential candidate should be allowed to campaign and engage with Nigerians without fear of violence or intimidation.

“No candidate should be prevented through violence, intimidation or state-sponsored thuggery from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria. Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians.

“They must desist immediately before it is too late,” he added.