Obi’s Benue blockade: NDC never told me to transmit letter to go, I only provided security – CP

By Luminous Jannamike and John Alechenu

As reactions continue to trail the blocking of  Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi  during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police,  Mr. Cletus Nwadiogbu, has said the party (NDC), never asked him to transmit a letter notifying him of  Obi’s visit to the state to Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Meanwhile, the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has condemned the attack, alleging that youths were sponsored to block and attack him, as the council said it was an invitation to anarchy.

This came as Labour Party condemned the alleged blockade of Obi, saying if the alleged miscreants who blocked Obi were sponsored by the state government, then it was frightening, as it called on President Bola Tinubu to call the governor under his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to order.

Also, the South East Amalgamated Markets Traders Association, SEMATA, condemned the attack on Obi, in Benue State, describing it as an act of impunity and brigandage.

Nwadiogbu said the letter was presented to him by members of the NDC, who visited his office to inform the police command about Obi’s planned arrival in the state, adding that the information was primarily for security arrangements.

The commissioner spoke on Channels Television’s Lunch Time Politics programme, yesterday, while explaining the events leading up to the disruption of Obi’s movement in Benue State on Tuesday.

According to him, members of the NDC initially informed his Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, saying, “On that very day, my PRO came to me and said members of NDC said they were paying me a visit. I said, well, I am currently in the office, and the PRO said they are coming by 3 p.m. I said ‘Okay.

It’s an invitation 

to anarchy —IPAC 

IPAC said the police had been notified of the visit, warning that preventing a presidential candidate from entering a state was an ‘invitation to anarchy’ as the country heads into an electoral season.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, the council said the action also violated Obi’s constitutional right to freedom of movement.

“Restricting a citizen from entering a state is a flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended,” IPAC said.

The council said the alleged attack was particularly troubling given Benue’s worsening security situation.

“Benue State is already bleeding over constant terrorists’ attacks, sponsoring youths to block and attack Obi’s convoy is a misplaced aggression and height of rascality,” it said.

IPAC commended the police for arresting 46 suspects and urged a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators and their alleged sponsors.

It said the incident must not be allowed to undermine democratic participation, stressing its commitment to a just democracy.

Labour Party asks Tinubu to rein in governors

Labour Party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, described the incident as shameful, calling on President Tinubu to rein the governors.

The party further alleged that miscreants who blocked Obi were sponsored by the state government, an allegation it said, if true, is frightening.

“If a Reverend Father who mounts the pulpit to teach morals could descend to this level of violence, what should Nigerians expect from more indecorous politicians and governors, like the one in Edo?

“It is particularly concerning that a governor who, as the Chief Security Officer of Benue State, has never been able to arrest and prosecute the criminals ravaging his state could instead be feasting on a man who was embarking on a humanitarian mission.”

“The sanctity of our democracy depends on the ability of every citizen to move freely, express political opinions and participate in public life without fear of harassment or attack,” it stated.

SEMATA condemns attack 

SEMATA in a statement by its President-General, Chief Emeka Emechebe, and Secretary-General, Chief Chima Eruchalu, after an emergency executive meeting in Onitsha, warned that such conduct could undermine peaceful elections in 2027.

SEMATA, which represents traders of South-East extraction across Nigeria and the diaspora, urged youths in Benue and other parts of the country not to repeat the incident, stressing that all presidential candidates have a constitutional right to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly, regardless of political affiliation.

It warned that no individual or group has a monopoly on violence, stressing that SEMATA would neither tolerate nor support acts of lawlessness.

“We are a nation of laws where the rule of law prevails at all times,” the association said, adding that Nigeria must not allow political violence and turbulence to threaten democracy.”