Kwankwaso to International Community: Don’t Ignore Attack on Obi

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on the international community to take note of the reported attack on the convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State.

Kwankwaso, who described the incident as disturbing, alleged that unruly elements were deliberately mobilised to block and attack Obi’s convoy as he travelled to Benue State to sympathise with families affected by recent attacks.

In a statement on Tuesday, shortly after Obi’s convoy was blocked from accessing the State by alleged sponsored thugs on his way to condole with over 200 victims of bandit attack, Kwankwaso said the incident was “another dark day for our democracy,” arguing that Obi, as a former governor and leading opposition figure, was entitled to freedom of movement guaranteed by the Constitution.

He urged the Benue State Government to urgently identify and prosecute those responsible for the alleged attack, while also ensuring the safety and free movement of Obi and members of his entourage.

Kwankwaso further called on President Bola Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly those elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against actions capable of undermining democratic principles.

He also appealed to diplomatic missions and election observation groups to monitor the development and urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders and safeguard democratic freedoms.

“I am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State,” Kwankwaso said.

He maintained that the reported incident should not be treated lightly, stressing that political differences should not threaten the rights and safety of opposition figures in a democracy.