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Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has condemned the Tuesday attack on presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and his supporters in Benue State, describing it as “completely repugnant to everything democracy stands for”.
A member of Obi’s media team, Esther Umoh shared a video on X showing suspected thugs blocking the convoy of the NDC candidate shortly after he arrived the North-Central state.
She said the incident occurred along Boko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base.
Another video shared by Umoh show some individuals chasing vehicles in the convoy in what she alleged was an attempt to attack the entourage.
Obi said he was in Benue “not for campaigns” but “to sympathise with communities affected by recent killings” and to visit Yelwata in Guma LGA where victims of the June 13, 2025 attack were being mourned.
He alleged he was prevented from reaching Yelwata and that relief materials worth “billions” were in the convoy.
In his statement, Adeyanju said, “The reported attack on Peter Obi and his supporters in Benue State today is completely repugnant to everything democracy stands for.
“Freedom of movement is a constitutionally guaranteed right of every Nigerian citizen, and political differences cannot justify its violation.
“It is even more disturbing when such an incident is directed at a presidential candidate.”
Adeyanju noted that politics is about competing ideas, policies and blueprints, not “thuggery, intimidation or rigging”.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to “unequivocally condemn this incident” and urged the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, to ensure his administration “does not tolerate or encourage such brigandage”.
“Political sycophants and those seeking to please those in power must desist from anti democratic acts,” he added.
