Benue NDC deputy governorship candidate condemns obstruction of Obi’s convoy

Benue NDC deputy governorship candidate condemns obstruction of Obi’s convoy

The Nigeria Democratic Congress Deputy Governorship Candidate in Benue State, Dr Raymond Edoh, condemned the reported obstruction of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State and called for an investigation.

Video footage circulating online also purportedly showed security personnel preventing Obi from moving forward.

However, the circumstances surrounding the incident had yet to be independently established.

Reacting to the incident in a statement signed on Tuesday and made available to newsmen in Abuja,Edoh, urged the Federal Government, security agencies and the Benue State Government to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported road blockade and incident involving Obi’s convoy near the Air Force Base along Gboko Road.

He described the reported development as “a dangerous development that should concern every lover of democracy, both within Nigeria and internationally.”

According to him,political freedom and peaceful participation were essential to credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I am speaking from New York-London, not merely as a politician, but as a Nigerian who believes deeply in democracy,” Edoh said.

“What has reportedly happened in Benue should concern every organisation and institution across the world that has accepted the responsibility of protecting democratic values, political freedoms and human rights.”

He called on international organisations, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth, United States Government and other democracy-support institutions, to monitor developments in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

Edoh said such monitoring should focus on democratic norms, the rule of law and the protection of political freedoms.

“The international community must not wait until democratic institutions completely collapse before it speaks. Prevention is better than intervention after a crisis has already escalated,” he said.

The NDC chieftain stressed that his appeal was not for foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs but for international democratic observation and engagement.

He said the reported incident should not be treated merely as a disagreement between political parties.

“If a presidential candidate can be prevented from entering a state because of his political identity, then every Nigerian who believes in democracy should be concerned,” he said.

“Today it may be Peter Obi; tomorrow it could be another candidate, another party or an ordinary citizen exercising his democratic rights.”

Edoh urged the Federal Government, security agencies and the Benue State Government to establish what happened and determine whether any security personnel were involved.

He also appealed to Obi’s supporters and NDC members to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

“We must not answer alleged political intimidation with violence. Our response must be constitutional, democratic and peaceful,” he said.

Edoh further urged civil society organisations, diplomatic missions and election-monitoring bodies to increase their attention to Nigeria as the 2027 elections approach.

“Nigeria is too important to Africa and the democratic world for us to allow political disagreements to degenerate into the suppression of legitimate political participation,” he said.

He reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to pursuing its political objectives through dialogue, lawful participation and the ballot box.

“Democracy belongs to all of us. It must not belong only to those in power,” Edoh added.