Human rights lawyer and political activist Deji Adeyanju, has called on President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to take action over the reported attack on former Anambra State Governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his supporters in the state.
Adeyanju, in a statement reacting to the incident, condemned the reported attack as an act that was completely repugnant to everything democracy stands for, insisting that political differences could not justify any attempt to restrict the movement of Nigerian citizens.
He said freedom of movement was a constitutionally guaranteed right of every Nigerian citizen, stressing that no individual or group should be subjected to intimidation or violence because of their political affiliation or views.
The activist said the reported incident was particularly disturbing because it involved a presidential candidate, adding that political contests should be based on competing ideas, policies and development plans rather than thuggery, intimidation or rigging.
“The reported attack on Peter Obi and his supporters in Benue State today is completely repugnant to everything democracy stands for. Freedom of movement is a constitutionally guaranteed right of every Nigerian citizen, and political differences cannot justify its violation.
“It is even more disturbing when such an incident is directed at a presidential candidate. Politics is about competing ideas, policies and blueprints, not thuggery, intimidation or rigging.” He said
Adeyanju therefore urged Tinubu to unequivocally condemn the incident and called on Governor Alia to ensure that his administration neither tolerated nor encouraged what he described as “such brigandage”.
He also warned political sycophants and individuals seeking to please those in power against engaging in what he described as anti-democratic acts, saying political disagreements should be resolved through democratic means rather than violence or intimidation.
“The President must unequivocally condemn this incident, while the Governor of Benue State must ensure that his administration does not tolerate or encourage such brigandage. Political sycophants and those seeking to please those in power must desist from anti-democratic acts.”
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