The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the reported attack on Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and his entourage in Benue State.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP Deputy Director, it urged President Bola Tinubu to “direct the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu to take over the investigation into the incident, ensure a prompt, thorough, impartial, transparent and effective investigation, and identify anyone responsible for the attack and anyone who sponsored, facilitated or otherwise aided it, with a view to prosecution where there is sufficient admissible evidence.”
Obi was reportedly visiting Benue State on Tuesday when suspected thugs confronted and stopped his convoy along Gboko Road in Makurdi, near the Air Force Base. The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the convoy arrived in the state. The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incident and commenced an investigation.
The organisation said: “the IGP should take over the case to ensure that the investigation is conducted independently and comprehensively, including determining whether any public officials, political actors or other persons were involved in, sponsored, facilitated or condoned the reported attack.”
SERAP said: “The reported attack is a serious threat to political participation, civic space and Nigeria’s democratic process. It is an affront to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.”
According to SERAP, “The authorities must ensure that politicians, candidates, journalists, civil society actors and other citizens are able to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and political participation without fear of intimidation or attack.”
The statement, read, in part: “SERAP is seriously concerned that attacks, threats and intimidation against political actors undermine constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights and risk further shrinking Nigeria’s already fragile civic and political space, particularly as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.”
“The reported incident must also be viewed against Nigeria’s troubling history of political violence, intimidation and impunity.”
“The failure to investigate and prosecute political violence would deny victims justice and create an atmosphere of impunity that emboldens further attacks.”
“Allowing attacks and intimidation against political opponents to go unpunished would undermine the rule of law and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
“No individual or political group should be above the law. Impunity for political violence can only embolden further attacks and threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.”
“SERAP urges all political parties, candidates, supporters and public officials to refrain from threats, inflammatory rhetoric and violence and to respect the rights of political opponents and citizens to participate freely in public affairs.”
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees rights freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee the right of every citizen to participate freely in the government of their country.”
“These rights would be meaningless if political actors and citizens could not exercise them without fear of threats, intimidation or violence.”
“Nigeria cannot afford a repetition of the cycle of political violence and impunity that has undermined previous elections. President Tinubu must act swiftly to direct the Inspector General of Police to establish the facts, identify anyone responsible and their sponsors, hold them accountable and protect political participants ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
“Accountability for the reported attack is essential not only to secure justice but also to send a clear message that political violence and intimidation will not be tolerated.”
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