The Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that youths led by a Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor blocked the road to prevent him from visiting communities affected by recent terrorist attacks in the state.
Obi made the allegation on Monday while speaking to journalists after arriving in Benue State to sympathise with families who lost loved ones in the attacks.
He said he had travelled to the state to condole with the families of more than 200 people reportedly killed in recent attacks but was prevented from proceeding to the affected area.
“I have been informed that youths, led by the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor, have blocked the road to prevent me from proceeding. I have been here for a while, hoping they would see reason.”
Expressing disappointment over the development, the former Anambra State governor said such actions were unacceptable in a country facing widespread insecurity and poverty.
“We can’t have a country like this. It doesn’t make sense to me. The rascality they are bringing into this country is totally unacceptable. We must have a country,” he said.
Obi said the people affected by the attacks needed solidarity and comfort, stressing that his visit was also aimed at drawing attention to their plight.
He called on Nigerians to take responsibility for rebuilding the country, saying the nation belonged to everyone.
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He also criticised the alleged use of youths to block his movement, warning that those involved could eventually suffer the consequences of such actions.
According to him, the people involved in the protest were themselves victims of the prevailing economic hardship and insecurity.
“These people are hungry. These people are insecure. These are people that we need to pull out of poverty by giving them an opportunity of a livelihood. And that is one of the reasons why I came here,” he said.
Asked whether he would abandon the visit following the blockade, Obi said he would return to Benue.
“Of course, I’ll come back,” he said.
