NDC condemns alleged attack, obstruction of Obi in Benue

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the alleged attack and obstruction of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by suspected thugs in Benue State, thereby preventing him from visiting victims of the Yelwata killings.

It alleged that the thugs, reportedly led by an aide to Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, blocked Obi’s convoy and prevented him from entering Yelwata community, where more than 270 people were reportedly killed.

The NDC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Tuesday, described the incident as “shameful” and “condemnable”, particularly because Obi had travelled to the community to mourn with families affected by the killings.

According to the statement, Obi arrived in Benue at about 9 a.m. with the intention of visiting victims and their families but was stopped from proceeding into the community.

“I arrived in Benue this morning at about 9 a.m. with the intention of visiting the victims and families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata. Unfortunately, we were stopped from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, ‘Peter Obi, go back,’” Obi was quoted as saying.

The NDC said the visit was not intended as a political activity but an effort by its presidential candidate to sympathise with families who lost loved ones and hear directly from victims about measures needed to prevent further attacks.

“I came to Benue not for politics but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer our solidarity during a moment of unimaginable pain,” Obi said.

He added that the country needed to unite in grief and focus on preventing further loss of lives rather than engaging in actions capable of deepening divisions.

The party said the alleged obstruction was particularly troubling given the security situation in Benue and the scale of the reported Yelwata killings. It maintained that residents of Benue and Nigerians generally should be able to live, travel and farm without fear, arguing that the primary responsibility of government was the protection of lives and property.

It said although Obi was denied access to Yelwata, the party’s thoughts and prayers remained with the victims, their families and the wider community.

The NDC also called on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and prosecute them.

“We call on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and guarantee the safety of all citizens and leaders who seek to show solidarity in times of grief,” the party said.

The party vowed that the incident would not deter it from speaking out on insecurity and the protection of lives, saying it would continue to press for what it described as the restoration of government’s fundamental responsibility to protect every Nigerian.

“We will not be deterred. The NDC will persist until we restore the fundamental responsibility of government: the protection of every Nigerian’s life,” it said.