Dr. Moses Paul, a leader in the Obidient Movement, has said the right of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to visit victims of attacks in Benue State should not depend on the goodwill of incumbent authorities.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Paul reacted to the controversy surrounding Obi’s recent attempt to visit Yelwata, where several people were killed in attacks.
He said it was disturbing that access to citizens, particularly victims of violence, could become dependent on the approval or goodwill of those in power.
“And so it becomes very worrisome where, and how do we build democracy where the access to citizens, particularly those who have been slaughtered, killed, you know, without any roadblock, are now dependent upon the goodwill of incumbent authorities. This is where the issues, you know, becomes very worrisome for me, you know. And so it’s really disturbing.”
Paul said Obi, as a presidential candidate, had a right to engage with Nigerians, stressing that the issue should not be reduced to political rivalry.
“But the bigger issue is also that a presidential candidate whose rights are guaranteed to receive, to engage, to be questioned, have now become an issue.”
He further argued that Nigerians should be concerned about restrictions placed on political figures seeking to interact with communities affected by violence.
“That’s the bigger picture for me, you know. And this is why every Nigerian should be concerned, particularly about what is going on, you know, with the Benue state government.”
Paul also said Obi’s decision to visit victims should be viewed from the perspective of leadership and concern for affected Nigerians rather than political competition.
“The question or the debate should be challenging other presidential candidates, you know, to do the same, even if for politics. This is the kind of, you know, debates that we should be having, because how do you understand the sovereigns of Nigeria when you cannot even, you know, visit with them and see what’s going on?”
He added that political disagreements should not overshadow the circumstances surrounding victims of violence.
“We need to get down to the crux of the matter, which has to do with the value of the human lives that are involved whenever we have altercations. You know, internal political parties’ issues will always be there, but this has completely nothing to do with that.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
