Anger and outrage mounted yesterday over the blockade of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State, with his party, the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, condemning the incident and warning against political intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While the NDC demanded an investigation and prosecution of those responsible, NOSCEF urged President Bola Tinubu to call Governor Hyacinth Alia to order, declaring that “democracy is not madness and politics is not war.” Kwankwaso warned that attempts to restrict the movement of opposition figures could push the country towards anarchy, while Sowore condemned violence, intimidation and political thuggery.

Obi, who was travelling from Makurdi to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with survivors and families of victims of the June 2025 massacre, abandoned the journey after youths barricaded the road and prevented his convoy from proceeding.

The confrontation was the second controversy in about 17 months over Obi’s attempt to undertake a humanitarian visit to Benue. In April 2025, the former Anambra State governor accused the state government of frustrating his planned visit to internally displaced persons and a nursing school, triggering a public disagreement between him and the government over access and prior notification.

The state government, however, denied any involvement in the latest incident and accused Obi of making false allegations against Alia’s administration, while the state Police Command confirmed that it had prior information about the visit and had provided security for the NDC presidential candidate.

Videos of the confrontation showed youths barricading the road along Gboko Road shortly after Obi left the airport. Some were seen wielding sticks and moving towards the vehicles as the convoy retreated.

Reacting to the incident, Obi expressed shock that what he described as a purely humanitarian mission could be obstructed.

“I’m in the state to visit where people have been killed. Over 200 people lost their lives. So I decided to come and condole them and now youths, I was told, led by SA to the Governor have decided to block the road and make sure that I don’t go there,” he said.

Obi did not identify the government aide he alleged was involved, and the allegation has not been independently established.

“I have been standing here for a while now, thinking they would come to their senses, but it is not happening. We cannot have a country like this. It doesn’t make sense to me.

“The rascality they are bringing into this country is totally unacceptable. We must have a country where people can live in peace and security,” he said.

Obi lamented that residents of Benue were already contending with killings and displacement and should not be denied solidarity from other Nigerians.

“People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to show their solidarity and comfort. People want to condole with them. People want to show that they are with them.

“I came here all the way this morning, a long distance from here, only to be told what you are seeing here. We cannot build a nation like this.”

He vowed that the blockade would not deter him from travelling around the country.

“I am going to go around Nigeria. I am committed to this country, and nothing will stop me from going around because only by going around will I be able to see what is happening and engage with Nigerians directly,” Obi said.

•NDC demands probe, prosecution

The NDC described the obstruction of its presidential candidate as “shameful” and “condemnable,” insisting that Obi’s mission to Yelwata was humanitarian rather than political.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party alleged that suspected thugs, reportedly led by an aide to Alia, blocked Obi’s convoy and prevented him from entering Yelwata, where it said more than 270 people were killed in the June 2025 attack.

The allegation linking a government aide to the incident has not been independently established, while the state government has denied any involvement.

The NDC said Obi arrived in Benue at about 9 a.m. intending to visit survivors and families affected by the killings.

“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,” the party quoted Obi as saying.

It said the obstruction was particularly troubling given the security challenges confronting Benue, maintaining that Nigerians should be able to live, travel and farm without fear.

“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 vowed that the incident would not deter it from speaking out on insecurity and the protection of lives.

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

•NOSCEF: Democracy not madness

NOSCEF described the blockade as “highly disturbing” and a dangerous signal ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement by its Chairman, Elder Sunday Oibe, the Christian elders said they were “deeply troubled and concerned” by reports surrounding the incident.

“Democracy is not madness and politics is not a war,” the elders declared.

“The 2027 elections must be an opportunity for Nigerians to freely choose their leaders, not a period of fear, intimidation and suppression.”

NOSCEF said if allegations that the obstruction was carried out on the instructions of Alia were eventually established, it would amount to an unacceptable assault on democratic values.

“Nigeria is a civilized and democratic nation, and the people of Benue State are traditionally known as peaceful, hospitable and welcoming people,” Oibe said.

The group expressed particular concern over the alleged deployment of thugs or unofficial forces to prevent a political figure from moving freely.

The alleged deployment of thugs or other unofficial forces to obstruct a political figure from moving freely within the country is frightening and sends a dangerous signal ahead of the 2027 general elections,” it said.

According to the elders, political intolerance could create an atmosphere in which opposition politicians and their supporters felt threatened or unsafe.

“Democracy thrives on the freedom to move, associate, campaign, express opinions and visit communities without intimidation or obstruction,” Oibe said.

NOSCEF called on Tinubu to intervene, citing his historical involvement in Nigeria’s struggle for democratic governance.

“NOSCEF therefore calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has himself played a historic role in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and civilian rule, to urgently intervene and call the Benue State Government to order,” Oibe said.

The group also urged the Federal Government to ensure that such incidents did not become a pattern as the elections approached.

NOSCEF said the development also reinforced concerns over the proposed establishment of state police, particularly the possibility that security structures under the control of political actors could be deployed against opponents.

“A security architecture that can be manipulated against political opponents would be a nightmare for democracy and a serious threat to peaceful political competition,” the group warned.

It distanced northern Christians from the alleged conduct and apologised to Obi and his team.

“As elders and custodians of our collective moral values and humanity, we sincerely apologize to Mr. Peter Obi, his team and other Nigerians who may have witnessed what appears to have been a shameful and undemocratic episode.”

Oibe said the conduct being attributed to Alia and those allegedly acting on his behalf did not represent the character of the northern people NOSCEF represented.

The elders also appealed to youths in Benue not to allow themselves to be used for political intimidation or violence.

“Politicians will eventually leave office, but the consequences of actions taken in their name can remain with individuals and communities for generations. No political ambition is worth destroying the good name and reputation of Benue State,” the group said.

NOSCEF commended Obi and his team for maintaining restraint rather than responding confrontationally.

Taking particular exception to the allegations involving the administration of a governor who is a Catholic priest, the elders asked: “Where is the character of Jesus Christ in all of this?”

They said Christian leadership should be defined by “love, tolerance, humility, reconciliation and respect for human dignity, not intimidation, hostility or political exclusion.”

•Police: We knew of visit, provided security

Meanwhile, the state Police Command confirmed that it had advance information about Obi’s visit and provided security for his movement.

Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the command received information about Obi’s planned visit the previous night and consequently made security arrangements, including directing the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to personally lead the security team.

“Yesterday night, we got information that His Excellency, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi will be coming, not for campaign but just to visit Yelwata. I said okay, everybody has freedom of movement in Nigeria. So I provided security.

“I also asked the Assistant Commissioner (AC) Operations to personally lead the men but unfortunately, on his arrival, we heard that the youths blocked the road that they don’t want to see him. That is the reason we are going in to find out why such conduct, why the youths behaved that way,” Nwadiogbu said.

The police commissioner said the immediate situation had been tactically managed but vowed that the command would investigate the circumstances surrounding the blockade.

“We have tactically managed the situation for now but we are not letting it go. We must get to the bottom to know why the youths said somebody cannot move,” he said.

Referring to Obi, Nwadiogbu added: “He is a very responsible man. He heard that the youths blocked the road and I learned he went back and left.”

The police confirmation that it had advance information about Obi’s visit and provided security presented a counterpoint to the state government’s contention that he arrived without formally notifying it.

•Kwankwaso: Incident could lead to anarchy

Reacting at a summit organised by OKAY A New Nigeria in Abuja, Kwankwaso said no government had the right to prevent Obi or any other Nigerian from moving freely around the country.

He expressed disappointment with the Benue State Government and Federal Government over the development, warning that political intolerance could have dangerous consequences.

“I am very disappointed with the government of Benue State and, of course, disappointed with the Federal Government itself for starting this action, which I believe if not arrested would lead us to anarchy.”

Kwankwaso said Nigerians, particularly senior citizens and opposition leaders of Obi’s standing, must be allowed to move freely. “What we are seeing today is a desperation, which many people were expecting.”

Kwankwaso accused some governors of banking on federal might rather than performance to secure victory in 2027.

He warned governors who believed they could prevent opposition candidates from entering their states that they were making “a big mistake.”

Rather than resort to intimidation, he said, the APC-led governments should use the remaining period before the elections to improve their performance and convince voters.

•Aondoakaa, Sowore condemn blockade

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and PDP governorship candidate in Benue, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, described the blockade as a “disgraceful assault on democracy” and an affront to the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

He said freedom of movement, association and political participation were constitutionally guaranteed and could not be denied on the basis of political affiliation.

“The attack on Mr. Peter Obi is therefore inconsistent with the true identity of our people and should be condemned by all lovers of democracy irrespective of political affiliation.” Aondoakaa called on security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and ensure that everyone found responsible was brought to justice, regardless of status or political connections.

Sowore similarly condemned the blockade, warning against violence, intimidation and political thuggery.

He maintained that no candidate should be prevented through violence or intimidation from moving or campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria.

NDC governorship candidate in Benue, Prof. Terhemba Shija, who was with Obi during the confrontation, also condemned the incident and vowed that it would not deter the party.

“We are going to launch our campaign in a week’s time, and nobody will stop us. This is our state. This state has suffered a lot,” Shija said.

•Obi must stop lies against Alia

The Benue State Government, however, strongly rejected Obi’s allegations, insisting that neither Alia nor his administration had anything to do with the youths who blocked the convoy.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, said: “Mr. Peter Obi must stop lies against Governor Alia and Benue State Government.”

Kula described the allegations as “unfounded and a desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the NDC.”

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

Kula maintained that Obi posed no threat to Alia and that the government had no reason to mobilise thugs against him.

“Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way. Even if he actually visited the state, and we realised that he is a threat to anyone, the security agencies are there to handle the issue, not thugs.” He suggested that Obi might have encountered disagreements within his political party, insisting that Benue remained open to legitimate visitors, political actors and Nigerians who came in peace.

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, separately said the incident could have been avoided if Obi had formally notified the state government ahead of his arrival.

“A high profile person who has been former Governor of a state is coming into the state, he should have written a letter to the State Government.

“We are supposed to guarantee his safety and protection but an instance where no letter was written, we could not guarantee his safety. This is not the first time he is doing this. He is just looking for our trouble. We are peace loving and hospitable people.”

Iorpev, however, denied knowing the youths who blocked the convoy.

•Obi continues mission in Plateau

Despite abandoning the Yelwata trip, Obi continued his humanitarian engagements, proceeding to neighbouring Plateau State, where he arrived at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang.

He was received by state party executives, party chieftains, supporters and other stakeholders led by Alfred Dapal Damiyal before proceeding to Mangu Local Government Area, where a recent attack left several residents dead and houses destroyed.

According to Dapal, the visit was aimed at expressing solidarity with the affected community and supporting families impacted by the attack.

The visit also afforded Obi an opportunity to engage local leaders, residents and victims over the security challenges confronting communities in the area and hear firsthand accounts from survivors.

The Mangu visit came immediately after the blockade prevented him from undertaking a similar humanitarian mission to Yelwata and gave practical expression to his declaration that the incident would not deter him from travelling around the country to engage directly with Nigerians. (The Sun)