— Says those who stopped Obi couldn’t stop killings in Benue
By Chioma Obinna
LAGOS — The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has condemned the reported blockade of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, while attempting to enter Benue State.
HURIWA described the incident as “lawless, reckless and misdirected”, questioning the circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation and the decision to prevent Obi from proceeding into the state.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the organisation said the incident was particularly troubling because Obi was reportedly visiting communities affected by attacks to commiserate with victims.
The group said: “The mob that stopped Peter Obi failed to stop terrorists killing innocent Benue people.”
HURIWA argued that attention should instead be focused on addressing insecurity affecting communities across the state.
The organisation also questioned whether adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure the safety and free movement of Obi and his entourage.
“We condemn the Benue State Government for permitting this lawlessness and we also blame the Federal Government for not deploying sufficient armed security forces to facilitate the passage of Peter Obi into Benue State,” HURIWA said.
However, the organisation did not provide evidence linking the Benue State Government directly to the reported blockade.
HURIWA recalled that Obi had previously encountered opposition while attempting to visit communities affected by insecurity in the state.
It argued that citizens, including political leaders, should be able to visit communities affected by violence, subject to legitimate security considerations.
“There is no known law allowing any government at the subnational or national level to prevent a Nigerian citizen from enjoying the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of movement, association and information,” the group stated.
HURIWA also questioned the basis for preventing Obi from entering the state, asking whether the governor had the authority to determine who could enter Benue.
The rights group criticised what it described as the misplaced priority of confronting a politician visiting victims of attacks while insecurity remains a major concern in the state.
It said it was a “shame” that a road blockade could occur over Obi’s visit while communities continued to face security challenges.
HURIWA asked: “Is it not a shame that the Benue State Governor couldn’t mobilise youths and equip them with the requisite weapons to stop the incessant killings of Benue civilians by terrorists, but here are the youths being used for the political assignment of blocking the road so as not to allow Peter Obi to visit victims of terrorism in Benue State?”
The group urged citizens not to allow political disagreements to escalate into confrontation, warning that such incidents could heighten political tension ahead of the next election cycle.
According to reports cited by HURIWA, the incident occurred on Monday along Gboko Road as Obi and members of his entourage attempted to enter Benue State. A group reportedly blocked the convoy, leading to a confrontation before security personnel intervened.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including who organised the blockade, the precise reason for it and whether anyone was injured, were not independently established by HURIWA’s statement.
HURIWA called on the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and Inspector-General of Police to ensure that security agencies remained politically neutral and protected citizens’ rights.
It also urged the police to investigate the incident and take appropriate action against anyone found to have committed an offence.
HURIWA maintained that political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into violence or interfere with citizens’ fundamental rights.
The organisation further criticised what it described as inadequate security arrangements for Obi, particularly amid reports that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for the opposition presidential candidate.
HURIWA said the incident should serve as a warning that political tensions must not be allowed to undermine citizens’ rights or distract from the urgent need to tackle insecurity in Benue State.
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