Kwankwaso condemns attack on Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has condemned the reported attack on the convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in Benue State.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kwankwaso said he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident as Obi travelled to the North-Central state.

He called on the Benue State Government to urgently identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack, while guaranteeing the safety and free movement of Obi and his entourage.

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“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 said.

He noted that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement, adding that the right also applied to Obi as a former governor and leading opposition figure.

Kwankwaso further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly those in the ruling party, against actions that could undermine the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.

He also called on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of the incident and urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders and safeguard democratic freedoms.

Meanwhile, New Post Africa (NPA) reported that Obi on Monday called for unity, love and mutual respect in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the call at the commissioning of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja.

In a statement titled “Unity and Love in Politics,” Obi said Nigeria needed to build a new nation anchored on unity, love, justice, mutual respect and inclusion, particularly at a time when political contests could become contentious and divisive.

He urged political contestants to place their love for the country above their political differences.