The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement have condemned the alleged obstruction of Peter Obi’s movement during his visit to Benue State, calling for an investigation into the incident.
Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, was reportedly prevented from accessing parts of the state on Tuesday after suspected thugs blocked his convoy along the Gboko Road.
Videos shared on X by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed a group of people chasing the convoy as it attempted to move through the state.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said he travelled to Benue to sympathise with victims of the 2025 Yelewata massacre and not for campaign activities.
He alleged that thugs, reportedly led by an aide to Governor Hyacinth Alia, denied him access to the affected community.
The Benue State Government, however, rejected the allegation, saying it had no prior knowledge of Obi’s visit and accusing him of failing to follow the required security protocol.
NDC Demands Investigation
The NDC described the alleged obstruction as unacceptable, particularly because Obi’s visit was intended to express sympathy with families affected by the Yelewata killings.
Osa Director, the party’s national publicity secretary, said the incident was troubling and called on the state government and security agencies to investigate.
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According to the party, although Obi was unable to reach the community, he remained committed to identifying with the victims and residents affected by the killings.
The NDC said it would not be discouraged by the incident and would continue to advocate the protection of lives and property across the country.
It urged the Benue government and relevant security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the alleged action.
The party also called for adequate protection for citizens and political leaders who travel to communities affected by tragedy to offer support.
Obdient Movement Raises Alarm
The media directorate of the Obidient Movement also condemned the incident, describing it as an alleged attempt to restrict Obi’s freedom of movement.
The group claimed that Tuesday’s incident was the second occasion on which the Alia administration had allegedly prevented Obi from travelling freely through Benue.
It referred to an earlier warning by the governor that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without state permission, which it said resulted in the cancellation of a previous visit.
The movement further alleged that groups of thugs barricaded major roads around the Air Force Base and Makurdi airport, causing traffic congestion and disrupting Obi’s movement.
It questioned why individuals allegedly involved in such activities would be allowed to take over major roads in a state already facing serious security challenges.
The group said Obi, as a Nigerian citizen, had the constitutional right to travel and engage with citizens across the country without seeking permission from political authorities.
It also accused some All Progressives Congress governors, including Alia and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, of allegedly using unlawful means against Obi to maintain political favour with President Bola Tinubu.
The Obidient Movement demanded an end to what it described as threats and attempts to frustrate Obi’s political activities.
Benue Government Denies Involvement
The Benue State Government denied any involvement in the incident and said the governor was not aware of Obi’s visit before his arrival.
Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, described Obi’s allegations as unfounded and an attempt to drag the governor and the people of Benue into an internal political dispute within the NDC.
Kula said the governor had no reason to regard Obi as a threat and maintained that security agencies were capable of addressing any security concerns arising from his visit.
He described Alia as a peace-loving leader who neither engages nor sponsors thuggery as a tool of governance or security.
The governor’s spokesperson also accused Obi of failing to notify the appropriate authorities before travelling to the state.
He said a visit by a presidential candidate should involve proper security coordination with the commissioner of police and other relevant security agencies.
Kula said the state government was surprised by Obi’s decision to link the incident to Alia, adding that the administration would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to create political controversy.
He maintained that Benue remained open to political actors and other Nigerians visiting the state peacefully.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.