Outrage trails obstruction of Obi’s convoy in Benue

NDC, Obidient Movement, Amnesty International, Aondoakaa condemn incident

Gov Alia dismisses Obi’s claim of thugs blocking Yelewata visit

Emeka Agu Jnr

Outrage has trailed the obstruction of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi by suspected hired thugs in Benue State on Tuesday.

Obi was travelling along the Gboko, Makurdi road towards Yelwata, where he was expected to visit communities and families affected by recent violence.

The thugs, armed with dangerous weapons, blocked Obi’s convoy and prevented him from gaining entry into Yelwata community, where over 270 people were massacred in 2025.

Speaking about the incident, the NDC presidential candidate said: “I arrived in Benue this (Tuesday) morning at about 9 a.m. with the intention of visiting the victims and families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata. Unfortunately, we were stopped from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, ‘Peter Obi, go back.’”

Obi further stated: “I came to Benue not for politics but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer our solidarity during a moment of unimaginable pain. At a time when our nation should be united in grief and committed to preventing further loss of life, we must avoid actions that deepen divisions.”

Meanwhile, the Police Command in Benue State confirmed the blockade of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Makurdi.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying the command had commenced investigation to establish why some youths blocked the convoy.

Nwadiogbu said the police had provided security for Obi’s movement to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where he was expected to visit communities affected by the June 13, 2025, deadly attack.

He said the police were informed that Obi’s visit was not for political campaign but to visit some people and commiserate with victims of the attack.

Reacting to the incident, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned what it described as the “shameful” attack and obstruction of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by suspected hired thugs in Benue State on Tuesday.

The party made this known in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Tuesday.

The NDC alleged that the group was led by an aide to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

It further alleged that the group, armed with dangerous weapons, blocked Obi’s convoy and prevented him from gaining entry into Yelwata community, where over 270 people were massacred in 2025.

The NDC stated that it found it deeply troubling and condemnable that a visit intended solely to mourn with grieving families, offer solidarity and listen to victims about how to prevent future tragedies was obstructed in such a manner.

The NDC noted that it believes Benue and all Nigerians deserve to live, sleep peacefully, travel safely and farm their lands without fear. Above all, they deserve a government that prioritises the protection of human life above every other consideration.

“Although access to the community was denied today, the hearts and prayers of the NDC and our Presidential Candidate remain with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community.

“We will not be deterred. The NDC will persist until we restore the fundamental responsibility of government: the protection of every Nigerian’s life.

“We call on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and guarantee the safety of all citizens and leaders who seek to show solidarity in times of grief,” the party added.

Similarly, the media directorate of the Obidient Movement also condemned what it described as a “state-backed attempt to block Obi’s freedom of movement” in Benue.

The Obidient Movement claimed the incident was the second time the Alia administration “has actively moved to prevent Obi from freely travelling through Benue”.

“First came the governor’s public threat that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without state permission, forcing a cancelled visit,” the statement reads.

“Now, organized thugs have barricaded major highways near the Air Force Base and Makurdi airport, deliberately gridlocking traffic to disrupt his movement.”

The movement questioned whether the alleged deployment of thugs against Obi was connected to the wider security situation in the state.

 “If Governor Alia commands a political militia capable of taking over major roads at a moment’s notice to target political opponents, is Governor Hyacinth Alia playing political games with the very security apparatus of Benue State while innocent citizens suffer daily violence?,” the group asked.

The group said Benue belongs “strictly to its people”, and not to the governor, adding that Obi, as a lawful citizen of Nigeria, holds an “unchallengeable constitutional right to travel, assemble, and engage with citizens anywhere across the country without seeking permission, clearance, or safe passage from anyone”.

In its reaction, global rights organisation, Amnesty International condemned the obstruction of the convoy of the NDC presidential candidate by suspected thugs, adding that “no state is a no-go area for any person” in Nigeria.  

In a statement, the rights body said it is deeply concerned by the reckless and unlawful use of political thugs that blocked the presidential candidate of opposition NDC Peter Obi from entering Benue state”.

“Benue state government has questions to answer for this brazen act of political repression. No Nigerian needs anybody’s permission or prior notification to visit any part of the country — at all times. No state is a no-go area for any person or supporters of any political party,” it added.

In the same vein, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has condemned the alleged attack on the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, in Makurdi, describing the incident as a “disgraceful assault on democracy.”

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, James Ian, Aondoakaa said the incident was not only unacceptable but also a direct affront to the constitutional rights of Nigerians, particularly the rights to freedom of movement, association and political participation.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement, association, and political participation,” he said.

“No individual, group, or government has the authority to deny any Nigerian access to any part of the country on account of political affiliation,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Benue state government had denied having prior knowledge of the visit of the NDC presidential candidate.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary (CPS) to Hyacinth Alia, the state governor, rejected Obi’s claims, describing them as “lies” aimed at tarnishing the image of his principal.

“The allegations are unfounded and desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” the statement reads.

“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about.”

Kula said Obi was not a threat to Alia, adding that even if he visited the state, security agencies were available to handle any security concern.

He described Alia as “a peace-loving Reverend gentleman” who is averse to thuggery and does not “engage, patronize, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security”.

Kula also accused Obi of failing to follow the required security protocol by visiting the state without formally informing the relevant authorities.

“It is therefore curious that an individual presenting himself as a presidential candidate could arrive in a state without the relevant security authorities being formally informed of his movement,” he said.

Kula added that such a visit would require security coordination involving the commissioner of police and other relevant security agencies.

The CPS said the government was also finding it difficult to understand Obi’s decision to link the incident to Alia.

“We really find it difficult to understand the basis for Mr. Obi’s attempt to connect every fabrication with the Benue State Government, and Governor Hyacinth Alia in the first instance,” he said.

“The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists.

“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace.”