*Human rights lawyer, Frank Tietie condemns action
Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over Tuesday’s incident in Benue State, where the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was stopped by hoodlums, allegedly hired by the state government, from entering the state.
Also, human rights lawyer, Frank Tietie, condemned the action, saying it is a slap on the Democratic and civic space.
Obi said he was on a humanitarian mission to visit the grieving families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata, Benue State, where over 270 people were massacred.
However, his convoy was stopped by what he described as thugs who asked him to go back.
Reacting to the incident, Amnesty International said in a statement the Benue State has questions to answer over the incident.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the reckless and unlawful use of political thugs that blocked the presidential candidate of opposition NDC Peter Obi from entering Benue state.
“Benue state government has questions to answer for this brazen act of political repression,” the civil rights organisation said.
Amnesty International insisted that no Nigerian needs anybody’s permission or prior notification to visit any part of the country — at all times.
“No state is a no-go area for any person or supporters of any political party,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International said what happened in Benue State undermines the democratic process.
“What happened today in Benue state is an unprecedented and dangerous act of political hooliganism that undermines the entire democratic process.
“Heavily armed youth unlawfully barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital in what appears to be a coordinated plan that puts the entourage of opposition NDC at risk.
“Harassment of rival candidates by state-endorsed armed vigilante groups or thugs is unlawful.”
Amnesty international stressed that intolerance must be addressed for democracy to flourish in Nigeria.
“Alarming intolerance, incitements and other efforts to undermine democracy must be decisively addressed now.
“Since last year, Amnesty International has been documenting shocking level of political repression, including preventing hotels from hosting political meetings organized by the opposition, direct attacks on political activities of rival parties and other acts that undermine the existence of level playing field politically,” the civil rights organisation said.
Amnesty International expressed concern that government has done little to prevent to stop political repression.
“We are seriously concerned that the Nigerian Government is doing very little to prevent political repression and violence.
“Some states have been implementing unpronounced policy of using all means of shutting out any political opposition.
“We are also concerned by the failure of the relevant authorities to investigate and bring to justice the suspected perpetrators of such acts,” Amnesty International said.
The rights group called on political parties and candidates to make anti-violence and thuggery stance a clear and integral part of their elections campaign.
On his part, speaking on Arise TV Newsnight programme, Tietie noted that it was an extremely grave action against democratic tenets in the country, for anyone to curtail the movement of anybody, especially politicians canvassing for votes, from travelling to any part of the country of their choice.
He said it was disturbing that after the commitment to shun violence signed by the political parties and their presidential candidates, such an act occured in Benue in violation of the charter against political violence, calling for thorough investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.
