By George Ozalla
Kogi East Senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Ameh, has condemned the reported attack and obstruction of the convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State, describing the incident as ridiculous and unacceptable.
Ameh, in a statement condemning the incident, stated that the reported roadblock and intimidation involving Obi’s convoy was unacceptable in a democratic society, stressing that no citizen should be subjected to harassment, threats or unnecessary obstruction on a public road.
He further stated that the reported action was allegedly carried out by individuals in Benue State with the backing of people in positions of authority, warning that political influence must not be used to create fear, inconvenience or a sense of lawlessness among citizens.
“Our roads belong to the people, and political influence must never be used to create fear, inconvenience, or a sense of lawlessness,” he said.
Ameh maintained that the reported incident amounted to a serious concern, particularly if it was linked to political interests, insisting that public roads must remain accessible to every citizen regardless of political affiliation.
He stressed that the rights of Nigerians to move freely and associate with others were guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
According to him, Section 41(1) of the Constitution provides that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and reside in any part of the country, while Section 40 guarantees the right of citizens to assemble freely and associate with other persons, including forming or belonging to a political party.
The NDC candidate said the constitutional provisions made it clear that political differences could not be used as justification for denying citizens their fundamental rights.
Ameh also raised concern over the allegation that individuals connected to the Benue State Government may have been involved in or encouraged the reported action.
“If these actions were indeed sponsored or encouraged by anyone connected to the state government, then that is deeply troubling and must be thoroughly investigated,” he stated.
He maintained that public office was a responsibility and not a licence to intimidate citizens or empower thugs to harass political opponents.
“Public office is a responsibility, not a licence to intimidate citizens or empower thugs,” he said.
Ameh called on the Benue State Government to openly condemn the incident and ensure that Obi’s visit to the state proceeded without further interference.
He stressed that political leaders had a responsibility to provide an atmosphere where citizens and political actors could move freely and engage with the people without fear or intimidation.
The senator aspirant also called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident transparently and ensure that anyone found responsible was held accountable, irrespective of political affiliation or connection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the matter should not be swept aside as another political disagreement, arguing that the freedom of movement and right to associate were constitutional rights that must be respected by both government officials and private citizens.
Ameh urged political leaders in Benue and across the country to reject the use of thuggery and intimidation in political activities, maintaining that political contests should be decided through persuasion, dialogue and the ballot box.
“We must continue to speak up for peace, accountability, and the rule of law,” he said.
He further called for measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident, stressing that Benue State deserved leadership that protected its people and respected their constitutional rights.
Ameh maintained that any attempt to harass, intimidate or humiliate political opponents undermined democratic values and could further erode public confidence in the political process.
He urged the authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported obstruction of Obi’s convoy, identify those responsible and take appropriate action where wrongdoing was established.
The Kogi East NDC senatorial candidate said accountability should apply to everyone involved, regardless of political connections, stressing that political power must never be allowed to place anyone above the law.
