— Condemns reported obstruction of NDC candidate’s visit
By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
ABAKALIKI — The Igbo Renaissance Group has condemned the reported obstruction of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, from visiting communities affected by the recent killings in Benue State.
The group also demanded a public apology from the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to Obi over the reported incident.
In a statement, the group’s chairman, Chief Emmanuel Igwe Chidi, called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged obstruction and the removal of any aide or official found responsible for ordering, organising or facilitating violence or obstruction.
He also called on the Benue State Government to ensure that humanitarian assistance reached victims without political discrimination and renew its commitment to protecting the lives and dignity of residents regardless of political affiliation.
Igwe urged Alia to ensure that political differences did not interfere with humanitarian efforts, stressing that public office should be used to promote service, compassion and reconciliation.
He said the governor still had an opportunity to demonstrate the values of service and compassion associated with his previous clerical vocation.
According to the group, Obi had alleged that his convoy was prevented from reaching communities affected by the Yelwata killings while attempting to express solidarity with victims and offer humanitarian assistance.
The group said the allegation was disturbing, particularly at a time when affected families were mourning and communities were dealing with the aftermath of the attacks.
It said: “Governor Hyacinth Alia must understand that the office of governor is greater than partisan politics. It is an office of service, compassion and responsibility.
“If the reports concerning the obstruction of Mr Obi’s visit are correct, Governor Alia owes Nigerians, the victims of the Benue killings and, most importantly, Peter Obi a public explanation and apology.
“We therefore call on Governor Alia to tender an unreserved public apology to Peter Obi within the next 24 hours and to immediately investigate the officials and aides allegedly involved in the incident.
“Where any aide is found to have acted on the governor’s instructions or abused his office by mobilising people to obstruct a humanitarian visit, such an individual should be removed from office.”
The group urged the governor to ensure that future humanitarian visits to affected communities were handled on the basis of security considerations rather than political affiliation.
It also called on relevant security agencies to investigate the reported incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the obstruction.
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