From Isaac Ojo
Human rights lawyer, Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor (Dunu-Ezeugosinachi), has described the recent blockage of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State as a “sobering irony” of the state’s worsening security crisis.
Ejiofor, a commentator on national issues, said the reported mobilisation of youths to obstruct Obi’s political movement contrasted sharply with the persistent insecurity confronting rural communities across the state.
He specifically cited Ayilamo, an agrarian community where residents have repeatedly appealed for stronger security protection following recurring attacks that have reportedly destroyed homes and livelihoods and displaced families.
“Therein lies the tragedy, and, frankly, the most uncomfortable irony,” Ejiofor said.
“Where were all the formidable young men who could erect a roadblock against a presidential candidate when armed assailants were descending upon Ayilamo? Where was that youthful energy when innocent farmers needed protection rather than political barricades?”
He said his criticism was not directed at youth activism, but at what he described as the “dangerous misdirection” of youthful energy in a state already grappling with insecurity.
“This is not an argument against youthful activism. Far from it. It is an argument against the dangerous misdirection of youthful energy in a state already bleeding from insecurity,” he said.
According to him, young people capable of mobilising to obstruct a lawful political movement could, with proper leadership and lawful organisation, channel their energy into community vigilance, intelligence gathering and protection of vulnerable rural settlements.
Ejiofor said Benue farmers needed security and protection in the hinterlands rather than political confrontation on highways.
“The tragedy of Benue is that its farmers do not need political warriors at the highways, but protectors in the hinterlands,” he said.
He challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to go beyond issuing condemnations after attacks and develop a security strategy capable of protecting vulnerable agrarian communities, including Yelwata, Ayilamo, Otukpo Nobi and Ugboju.
Ejiofor, however, said the state government should not be solely blamed for the crisis, stressing that the Federal Government and security agencies also have constitutional responsibilities.
He said the scale and persistence of the insecurity clearly transcended the capacity of any single state government, requiring coordinated action by the Federal Government, security agencies and local communities.
