The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has condemned the protesters in Benue for preventing the Presidential candidate of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi from proceeding to the venue of his visit.
Keyamo in a statement issued Wednesday said whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC or sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy.
He noted: “(Yesterday’s (Tuesday) report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill.”
“Some have also accused Obi of attempting to whip up fresh emotions by attempting to visit Yelwata where the unfortunate killings happened more than a year ago just for political reasons, hence the blockade.
“That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference.”
However, Keyamo said there is no better time to draw attention of Nigerians and the world to the spin that the partisan section of the media usually put to such incidents.
The minister maintained that angry protesters should rather display their grievances through ballot rather than violence.
He added: “Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’.
“When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’. Just check most headlines today. This is what is unacceptable.
“In fact, many opposition leaders openly boast that the APC candidates cannot go to some parts of this country and shout ‘APC!’ without being ‘stoned’, ‘beaten’ or molested, yet the partisan Press do not call out such leaders and even help to accentuate such statements.
“What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all.
“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns.”