Peter Obi Benue Saga: Group Demands Alia’s Apology to Nigerians ..... Described action as democratic, constitutional rapes ‎ -

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Peter Obi Benue Saga: Group Demands Alia’s Apology to Nigerians

….. Described action as democratic, constitutional rapes

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‎The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum has condemned the alleged attack, blockade and obstruction of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, during his humanitarian visit to Yelwata in Benue State, describing the incident as an abuse of power and a “constitutional and democratic rape.”

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‎The group also demanded an immediate public apology from the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, over the incident, which occurred during Obi’s visit to sympathise with victims and families affected by the killings in Yelwata, even as they warned against using Nigerian youths for political thuggery.

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‎National Coordinator of the forum, Hon. Clifford Obinwanne Chukwuonye, made the position known in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Wednesday, in a press statement personally endorsed by him.

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‎Chukwuonye expressed dismay over the development, insisting that no individual or group had a monopoly of violence and that every Nigerian was constitutionally entitled to fundamental rights, including freedom of association and movement.

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‎He urged political leaders across the country to distinguish political competition from constitutional rights, stressing that political party and idealogy differences should never become an excuse for infringing on the rights of citizens.

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‎According to him,“we should respect the rule of law and we must respect each other’s fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended).

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‎“What happened in Benue State last Tuesday is definitely an abuse of power and a total demonstration of political leadership rascality and utter violation of the Nigerian Constitution. Nigerians definitely deserve an immediate public apology from the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

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‎“Today is Mr. Peter Obi; tomorrow it could be anybody. Power is transient, but your deeds will certainly speak good or bad of you” he noted.

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‎The National Coordinator further argued that political parties and their candidates should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights to campaign and engage with Nigerians across the country.

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‎Chukwuonye further said that,“It is important to know that there is no gain starting ugly things you cannot finish. INEC has lifted the ban on presidential campaign; therefore, every political party in Nigeria has the optimal constitutional right to campaign in any part of the country.

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‎“This is sacrosanct. We Nigerians must rise up to condemn this politics of detribalisation, discrimination, humiliation, intimidation and disenfranchisement.

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‎“It’s undemocratic and a constitutional rape. Therefore, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State should come out and render a public apology to Nigerian youths for regrettably using some of them to embarrass an elder statesman, Mr. Peter Obi.”»

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‎Chukwuonye maintained that the alleged incident had sent a dangerous political signal capable of undermining the nation’s democratic process and escalating political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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‎He insisted that political leaders, irrespective of their positions, had a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of citizens.

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‎The National Coordinator also said that,” this is a wrong signal and should be condemned outrightly by all critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s elections. As a political leader, no matter your status, you have no constitutional right to use such power against any Nigerian.

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‎“It’s barbaric, unfair and unheard of. Yes, politics is a game, but it should not be played against the dictates of global best practices nor to witch-hunt any Nigerian unjustly.”

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‎The youth leader therefore called on Nigerians, particularly youths, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, as well as the international community, to condemn what he described as the alleged attempt to intimidate and humiliate Obi because of his presidential ambition.

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‎“I passionately call on Nigerians, especially the youths and global communities, to rise up in one accord and condemn what Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State did to Mr. Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate in the forthcoming political dispensation,” he said.

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‎Chukwuonye further alleged that the incident had created a wrong political precedent that could trigger wider political tensions if not addressed.

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‎He described the development as “totally unacceptable,” insisting that the alleged use of youths as instruments of political confrontation must end.

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‎The National Coordinator also questioned the relevance of the peace accord reportedly signed by presidential candidates, asking, “what’s the essence of the peace accord recently signed by the presidential candidates?”

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‎He further advised Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be used by politicians to settle political scores, stressing that young people should instead position themselves as advocates of peace, unity and democratic development.

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‎According to him, “this constitutional rape and usage of youths for political thuggery should stop and Nigerian youths must learn their lessons of being used and dumped by desperate politicians.

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‎“Time has come for Nigerian youths to ask the so-called political leaders to bring out their children and relations for political thuggery and bravado.

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‎“For how long will Nigerian youths allow themselves to be used to settle political scores? Nigerian youths should position themselves as ambassadors of national unity and critical stakeholders towards the nation’s greatness.”

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‎The group therefore urged political leaders to embrace tolerance, respect constitutional liberties and ensure that the 2027 electoral process was conducted in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation, violence and political victimisation.

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