Peter Obi: Gov Alia should be held accountable for Benue incident — Ejembi

Comrade Daniel Ejembi has condemned the blockade of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State.

Ejembi, in a statement, described the incident as “shameful, reckless and dangerous” and accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of being responsible for the actions of the youths who obstructed Obi’s movement.

Obi’s convoy was blocked by some youths in Makurdi on Tuesday while he was heading to Yelewata.

Reacting, Ejembi said: “I state categorically that lunatics have taken over Benue politics. Governor Hyacinth Alia should be held directly accountable for mobilizing thugs to block, harass, and intimidate Mr. Peter Obi’s convoy.”

He further accused the Alia administration of promoting political thuggery instead of addressing the challenges confronting residents of the state.

“Instead of governing, Governor Alia has institutionalized thuggery. He has abandoned his core responsibility of good governance. He has sold Benue and impoverished the masses,” Ejembi alleged.

He also criticised the conditions of internally displaced persons, IDPs, in the state, alleging that some camps lacked adequate water, food and healthcare.

“While IDP camps in the state lack water, food, healthcare, and basic dignity, the governor is busy ensuring that nobody exposes his atrocities to the international community,” he claimed.

Ejembi further alleged that unemployed youths were being used for political activities instead of being provided with employment and skills.

“The jobless Benue youths who should be empowered with jobs and skills have now been turned into the governor’s personal thugs. This is not leadership. This is state-sponsored brigandage,” he said.

He called for those responsible for the incident to be investigated and prosecuted.

The Benue State Government has, however, denied any involvement in the blockade.

Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the administration neither patronises nor deploys thugs and accused Obi of falsely linking the government to the incident.

The Benue State Police Command also confirmed that some youths blocked Obi’s convoy but said the reason for their action remained unknown.

Police spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said an investigation had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.