ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The OK Movement, a political platform backing the joint presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, has warned that it will not continue to tolerate attempts to obstruct or attack its leaders during political engagements ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group said its decision to restrain its security personnel from responding to the alleged attack on Obi’s convoy in Benue State was an act of discipline and responsible leadership, rather than weakness.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the National Director General of the movement, John Ughulu, who condemned the incident and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the obstruction of Obi’s convoy, Vanguard reports.
The group alleged that suspected hired thugs were involved in the incident, describing the reported attack as an attempt to frustrate Obi’s legitimate political activities in the state.
READ ALSO US Consulate Convoy: IPOB Tackles Nigerians Linking Obi With Attack
It insisted that every presidential aspirant and political leader had the constitutional right to travel to any part of the country to campaign, arguing that neither state governments nor political parties had the authority to prevent political activities through violence or intimidation.
The statement said, “Peter Obi, like every other presidential aspirant and political leader, has a legal and constitutional right to visit and campaign in every part of Nigeria. No state government, political party or individual has the authority to intimidate, harass or obstruct a legitimate political movement through violence or thuggery.”
The movement said its security team deliberately avoided retaliation despite the alleged provocation because it did not want the incident to degenerate into a wider confrontation.
“The fact that our security personnel exercised restraint in the face of provocation should never be interpreted as weakness, fear or lack of capacity. Our decision to restrain our people was a deliberate act of leadership and responsibility,” it said.
The group, which draws support from the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya, said it had chosen peaceful political participation because “Nigeria belongs to all of us.”
READ ALSOADC Office Razed As Gunmen Attack Amaechi Convoy
It nevertheless warned that continued attempts to test its restraint would not be accepted.
“Restraint is not weakness. Restraint is discipline. However, we will not tolerate a situation where such restraint is repeatedly tested or exploited,” the statement said.
The movement added that it had the organisational structures required to protect its members while operating within the law, and said it would take “every lawful and necessary countermeasure” whenever the safety of its leaders and members was threatened.
The group also appealed to security agencies to conduct what it described as a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the Benue incident and prosecute anyone found responsible, irrespective of political affiliation or status.
It further called on international organisations, diplomatic missions, election observers and democracy-monitoring groups to pay attention to incidents of political violence and intimidation as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
READ ALSO DSS Nabs Teacher Over Obi Attack Threats In Benin
The OK Movement said political competition should be based on ideas, competence, persuasion and votes rather than intimidation or violence.
“This is not the Nigeria we want to build. Democracy cannot survive where political opponents are attacked simply because they choose to visit or campaign in a particular state,” it said.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful democratic participation but stressed that such commitment should not be interpreted as surrender.
“The OK Movement remains committed to peaceful democratic participation, but our commitment to peace must never be mistaken for surrender. We will defend democracy. We will protect our people within the law. We will resist intimidation.
“And we will never accept political violence as a substitute for democracy. Nigeria belongs to all of us.”