Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
ABUJA — Former Kano State Governor and presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has condemned what he describes as a “deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements” to block and attack the convoy of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State.
In a strongly worded statement, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader expressed deep disturbance over the incident, which occurred as Obi travelled to Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
“The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy,” Kwankwaso declared.
The former governor emphasised that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement, arguing that this right applies “even more strongly” to Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and leading opposition figure.
Urgent Call for Prosecution
Kwankwaso has demanded that the Benue State Government take immediate action to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack.
“The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted,” he stated. “It must also guarantee the safety and free movement of our candidate and his entourage.”
The NNPP leader further urged President Bola Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly those within his party, against “any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy”.
Appeal to International Community
In a significant escalation of the matter, Kwankwaso has called on the international community to take note of the incident.
“I also call on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of this incident and to urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders, and safeguard democratic freedoms,” he said.
The attack on Obi’s convoy has raised fresh concerns about political violence and the safety of opposition figures in the lead-up to future electoral contests.
The Labour Party presidential candidate, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, has frequently been the subject of political tensions as he continues to maintain a high-profile presence across the country.
Authorities in Benue State have yet to issue an official response to the incident at the time of this report.
