The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, has explained what happened before the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was blocked during his visit to the state.
Nwadiogbu said the NDC informed the police command about Obi’s planned visit but did not ask him to forward the notification letter to Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The clarification came amid growing controversy over Tuesday’s incident in which youths stopped Obi’s convoy along the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway as he travelled to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Lunch Time Politics programme, the police commissioner said the letter presented by members of the NDC was meant to notify the police about the visit so that adequate security arrangements could be made.
According to him, the NDC representatives visited his office after first contacting the command through the Police Public Relations Officer.Hire Grant Writers
“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.”
Nwadiogbu said the police treated the notification as a security matter and did not understand it to mean that the commissioner was required to personally transmit the letter to the governor.Political analysis
He said the command’s responsibility was to provide security for Obi during his movement in the state.
Obi had said he was visiting the community to sympathise with residents affected by the deadly attacks in the area.
The visit was also expected to include contact with families and communities affected by the violence that has continued to raise security concerns in Benue.
The police command has since arrested 46 persons allegedly connected with the incident.
Nwadiogbu said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations launched after the convoy was obstructed.
The police have also indicated that the investigation has not been concluded, with efforts continuing to identify other persons who may have played roles in the incident.
The commissioner said the decision by police officers at the scene not to immediately force their way through the crowd was intended to prevent the situation from becoming more violent.
He explained that the security personnel had to consider the possibility of casualties and damage to property before taking further action.
Obi was eventually escorted back to the airport and left the state.
The police maintained that the incident should not be interpreted as a failure to protect the presidential candidate, stressing that the command intervened to prevent further escalation.
The development has nevertheless caused strong reactions from political groups and organisations across the country.
The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, condemned the incident and described the blocking of Obi as an unacceptable development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
IPAC said the police had been notified of the visit and questioned the circumstances under which a presidential candidate could be prevented from moving freely within a state.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, the council said the incident could worsen political tensions at a time when political parties are already preparing for the next general election.
“Restricting a citizen from entering a state is a flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended,” IPAC said.
The council also expressed concern that the incident happened in Benue, a state already facing serious security challenges.
“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 welcomed the arrest of 46 suspects and urged the police to go beyond the arrests by establishing what led to the incident and determining whether anyone organised or sponsored the action.
The Labour Party also reacted strongly to the development.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, condemned the incident and called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in governors whose supporters or political allies may be involved in actions capable of undermining political participation.
The Labour Party alleged that the youths involved in the incident may have been sponsored by the Benue State Government.
It, however, presented the allegation as a matter requiring investigation.
“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 party said political leaders should create an environment where citizens can participate in political activities without intimidation.
“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.
Moreover, The South East Amalgamated Markets Traders Association, SEMATA, also condemned the incident.
The association, in a statement by its President-General, Chief Emeka Emechebe, and Secretary-General, Chief Chima Eruchalu, said the development was capable of creating unnecessary tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
SEMATA represents traders of South-East extraction across Nigeria and in the diaspora.
Following an emergency executive meeting in Onitsha, the association urged young people not to allow themselves to be used to cause political violence.
It said political affiliation should not determine whether a presidential candidate is allowed to move freely or interact with Nigerians in different parts of the country.
“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.Join Diaspora Networks