The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has accused Nigerian security agents of silently attacking and arresting his supporters who are members of his #Obidient Movement.
Obi, who was reacting to a recent report of attack on Obi Flag Boys in Oshodi area of Lagos State allegedly by supporters of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, said it is a breach of people’s constitutional rights.
Obi in a series of tweets on his Twitter page on Tuesday said that elections cannot be described as free and fair when certain groups employ the tools of intimidation to silence the opposition during campaigns and at polls.
Obi called on the federal and state governments to call security operatives committing such acts to order and remind them on the need to respect civil liberties of his supporters to ensure free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2023.
He said, “Elections are not deemed free and fair when a certain group employs the tool of intimidation to ensure that the opposition is silenced, both at the campaigns and at the polls.
“Peaceful assembly and unfettered electioneering campaigns are constitutionally guaranteed. Both and other ordered liberties cannot be breached willfully by security agents.
“Recent reports of OBIdients being silently arrested by some security agents are extremely disturbing and condemnable.
“We must ensure that everyone is given a level playing field in the forthcoming elections, and that no eligible Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation is disenfranchised, more so through violence and intimidation.
“I call on the Federal and State agencies to remind their operatives on the need to respect civil liberties.”
