A dispute has erupted between Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi and the Benue State Government following the obstruction of his convoy during a visit to the state.
Obi travelled to Benue on Tuesday intending to visit Yelwata and sympathise with families affected by the deadly attack on the community in June 2025. However, his convoy was stopped by youths who reportedly barricaded Gboko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport.
Obi accused suspected political thugs of deliberately preventing him from reaching the community. He alleged that the youths had been mobilised by a government aide and described the incident as unacceptable.
The Benue State Government denied any involvement in the blockade, insisting that Governor Hyacinth Alia and his administration did not authorise anyone to obstruct Obi’s movement.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, said the state government was not formally informed about Obi’s visit. He argued that proper notification was necessary to enable the authorities to coordinate security arrangements for a high-profile visitor.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, similarly maintained that Obi had failed to follow the required protocol. He said the government was responsible for ensuring the safety of important visitors but could not properly do so without prior information about their movements.
The police, however, confirmed that they were aware of Obi’s visit and had deployed officers to provide security for his convoy. The command said the reason the youths stopped the convoy remained unclear and that an investigation was underway.
Obi’s team maintained that security agencies had been notified of the visit and that the trip was humanitarian rather than a campaign event. The NDC’s Benue governorship candidate, Terhemba Shija, said the visit was intended to allow Obi to meet families of victims of the Yelwata attack.
The convoy was eventually forced to turn back, preventing Obi from reaching Yelwata. He later proceeded to Plateau State, where he visited displaced persons affected by insecurity.
The incident has generated political reactions, with opposition figures and groups calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blockade.
The disagreement comes as political activities increase ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and candidates stepping up engagements across the country.
