Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson have condemned the reported obstruction of Peter Obi’s visit to Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Ortom accused the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia of disregarding the rule of law and alleged that the governor was aware of the incident.
The former governor made the allegations on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, September 9, while reacting to the circumstances surrounding Obi’s inability to visit the community.
Ortom described the blockade as unacceptable, particularly because Obi was reportedly visiting Yelwata to sympathise with residents affected by killings in the area.
He argued that political differences should not prevent any Nigerian citizen from travelling to or visiting another part of the country.
According to Ortom, the incident was consistent with what he described as a pattern of lawlessness under the current administration in Benue.
The former governor also referred to an earlier dispute involving the state judiciary, alleging that Governor Alia had previously deployed individuals and vehicles to obstruct access to the office of the Chief Judge.
Ortom further challenged Alia to publicly deny, under oath, any knowledge of the action that prevented Obi from accessing Yelwata.
“I am not supporting Peter Obi. But it is wrong,” Ortom said, stressing that his criticism was based on what he described as the need to uphold the rule of law.
Dickson demands investigation
Meanwhile, Dickson, a national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident and prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Newsnight, Dickson described the reported blockade as a serious concern for Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly with political campaigns underway.
He said allegations of involvement by government officials should not simply be accepted or dismissed without an investigation.
Dickson maintained that no Nigerian requires permission from a state government to travel to or participate in activities in another state.
He expressed concern that the reported use of thugs to prevent a presidential candidate from reaching a community could create a dangerous precedent ahead of the elections.
The former Bayelsa governor also disclosed that the NDC had notified the Benue State Commissioner of Police about Obi’s planned visit.
According to him, the party’s state chairman sent a formal letter to the Commissioner of Police, which he said amounted to notifying the appropriate state security authorities.
Dickson questioned what steps the police took after receiving the notification and whether adequate security measures were put in place to facilitate the visit.
He disclosed that the NDC intended to submit formal petitions to the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation over the incident.
Dickson also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, arguing that the President has a constitutional responsibility to protect Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political order.
He said the responsibility of the President extends beyond economic policies, partisan politics and security matters to include safeguarding citizens’ democratic rights.
The controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s attempted visit to Yelwata has therefore triggered renewed debate over political freedom, security and the right of citizens and political candidates to move freely across Nigeria during the election period.
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