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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to lead the investigation into the blockade of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, warning that political violence and impunity could threaten Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, SERAP said the IGP should ensure a “prompt, thorough, impartial, transparent and effective investigation” into Tuesday’s incident and identify not only those directly responsible but also anyone who may have “sponsored, facilitated or otherwise aided” it.
The rights group said the reported blockade should be treated as more than an isolated security incident, describing it as “a serious threat to political participation, civic space and Nigeria’s democratic process.”
“The IGP should take over the case to ensure that the investigation is conducted independently and comprehensively, including determining whether any public officials, political actors or other persons were involved in, sponsored, facilitated or condoned the reported attack,” SERAP said in the statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Wednesday.
Obi was travelling to Yelwata in Benue State on Tuesday to commiserate with victims of the deadly 2025 attacks when his convoy was blocked by a group of youths along the Makurdi-Gboko highway near the Nigerian Air Force Base.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that Obi’s convoy was obstructed and said it had begun an investigation.
The police had earlier provided security for Obi’s planned movement to Yelwata, according to reports.
However, the motive for the blockade and those responsible had not been established when the incident was first reported.
Allegations suggest an aide to the Benue State Government mobilised the youths, but the state government has denied it.
The Benue State Government rejected claims that it sponsored the blockade, calling the allegation unfounded and maintaining it had no involvement in the incident.
SERAP said the investigation must establish the facts and determine whether any individual or group organised or facilitated the obstruction.
“The reported incident must also be viewed against Nigeria’s troubling history of political violence, intimidation and impunity,” the organisation said.
It warned that a failure to investigate and prosecute political violence could “deny victims justice and create an atmosphere of impunity that emboldens further attacks.”
“Allowing attacks and intimidation against political opponents to go unpunished would undermine the rule of law and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” SERAP said.
“No individual or political group should be above the law. Impunity for political violence can only embolden further attacks and threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.”
The organisation said Nigerian authorities have a duty to protect the rights of politicians, candidates, journalists, civil society actors and other citizens to participate freely in public life.
“The authorities must ensure that politicians, candidates, journalists, civil society actors and other citizens are able to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and political participation without fear of intimidation or attack,” SERAP said.
It cited constitutional provisions as well as Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
According to SERAP, Article 13 of the African Charter and Article 25 of the ICCPR protect citizens’ right to participate in their countries’ government and public affairs.
“These rights would be meaningless if political actors and citizens could not exercise them without fear of threats, intimidation or violence,” the organisation said.
SERAP also called on political parties, candidates, supporters and public officials to refrain from violence, threats and inflammatory rhetoric as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
It said Nigeria could not afford “a repetition of the cycle of political violence and impunity that has undermined previous elections.”
“President Tinubu must act swiftly to direct the Inspector General of Police to establish the facts, identify anyone responsible and their sponsors, hold them accountable and protect political participants ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the organisation said.
“Accountability for the reported attack is essential not only to secure justice but also to send a clear message that political violence and intimidation will not be tolerated.”
The call comes as the Benue police said they had continued their investigation into Tuesday’s incident.
