The presidential candidate was stopped on his way to console families of massacre victims on Tuesday when youths, who Peter Obi alleged were sponsored by the Benue State governor, blocked a road and refused to let his convoy proceed.
Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, said he was heading to Yelewata to visit families of victims of the June 2025 massacre when his convoy was stopped at Gyado Villa along Gboko Road.
The visit was planned to allow him to meet families affected by the deadly June 2025 attacks in the community.
Protesters chanting “We don’t want Peter Obi” barricaded the road close to the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, leaving Obi’s convoy stranded and disrupting traffic for several hours.
Videos shared on X by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed a group of people allegedly chasing the convoy and obstructing its movement.
At the scene, Obi said, “I was told that youths, led by an SA (Special Assistant) to the government, have decided to block the road and make sure I don’t go there.”
He later clarified that his visit to Benue was not connected to campaign activities but was intended to sympathize with victims of insecurity in the state.
“I am in Benue not for a campaign. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives and console them and show solidarity with them. But you can see the level at which our politics has degenerated,” Obi said.
Obi also said, “I’m using this occasion to appeal to the IG of police, the Director of DSS, and other agencies to please intervene and call various state governors to order. This rascality cannot be allowed; we too have followers and people who can confront these people on our own if the state and government can no longer provide us security.”
The Benue state government distanced itself from the incident, saying it was not aware that Obi was visiting the state. Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said the state government was unaware of Obi’s arrival and questioned why the former governor was not properly coordinated with the relevant authorities.
Tersoo denied the youths acted for the state government, insisted the administration does not use thugs, and said Obi is not a threat to Alia.
The government’s position contrasts with Obi’s claim that his itinerary was known and that his visit had been communicated.
The Benue State Police Command commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and blockade along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway on Tuesday. The Command confirmed that some youths blocked Obi’s convoy as he travelled to Yelwata in the Guma Local Government Area but said it was yet to establish the reason for their action.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said police operatives had provided security for Obi’s movement to Yelwata when the incident occurred.
Obi arrived in Jos, Plateau State, moments after leaving Benue State. He arrived in the Plateau State capital on Tuesday, shortly after his convoy was reportedly attacked and obstructed by suspected political thugs.
He proceeded to the Mangu Local Government Area to meet with residents affected by the attack there and to sympathize with families who lost loved ones, following a recent deadly attack that claimed more than 26 lives.
NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso called for the swift identification and prosecution of those who obstructed Obi’s convoy in Benue State. Kwankwaso also urged President Bola Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly those in the ruling party, against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy, describing the incident as “another dark day for our democracy.”
Kwankwaso said, “Authorities must remember that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement. This right applies even more strongly to Obi, a former governor and leading opposition figure.”
He also appealed to the international community, including diplomatic missions and election monitoring organizations, to pay attention to the incident and encourage Nigerian authorities to respect the rule of law.
Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, alleged that the incident involved agents of the Benue State Government and the administration of President Bola Tinubu. “I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable,” Sowore said.
He warned, “Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians. They must desist immediately before it is too late.”
