ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged obstruction of his convoy in Benue State by suspected political thugs and security operatives.
Obi was in the state to commiserate with communities affected by recent killings when his team was reportedly stopped from accessing an area where he planned to pay a condolence visit.
His convoy was blocked along Boko Road, near the Air Force Base, shortly after arriving in Benue.
Speaking at the scene, Obi said he was informed that youths allegedly sponsored by the state governor had blocked the road and prevented him from proceeding to the affected community.
“I am here in a place where people have been killed. I am here to commiserate with them, but now I have been told that youths sponsored by the governor have blocked the road and made sure I do not go in,” Obi said.
He said he had remained at the location for some time and questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged blockade.
“I have been standing here since. We cannot have a country like this. It does not make sense to me. The rascality is totally unacceptable,” he said.
Obi also expressed concern over the continued killings in Benue, stressing that people who wished to visit affected communities and show solidarity should be allowed to do so.
“People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to condole them and show that they are with them. I came here only to be told we cannot go in,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Government had yet to respond to the allegations.
