* Thugs stopped my trip, says NDC presidential candidate
* Party senatorial hopeful demands probe over attack
By Charles Olewezi, Hosea Parah (Abuja), And Emma Elekwa (Awka)
The convoy of the presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was on Tuesday blocked, and later attacked by suspected thugs in Benue State.
The obstruction by suspected political thugs preventing him and his delegation from reaching the Yelwata community on a scheduled humanitarian mission.
During the incident that occurred along Boko Road, Obi’s convoy, which was trying to gain access into the state, was attacked by mobs who blocked the road wielding sticks.
An eye witness, who noted that “Peter Obi is under attack in Benue State” said: “We have just arrived in Benue State where alleged sponsored thugs blocked Boko Road by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, attempting to prevent him from gaining access into the State.”
Esther Umoh added: “Why is APC so afraid of Peter Obi? They are just afraid of a man loved by the masses. Hyacinth Alia and his thugs can’t stop the wind from blowing off bad people in government come 2027.”
In April last year, Obi, who had planned to visit internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and health institutions in Benue cancelled his trip after the State government issued a statement warning against unscheduled visits, citing security concerns.
In a detailed statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed disappointment over what he perceived as the politicisation of charitable initiatives in Nigeria.
“I was taken aback by the reaction, as my trip was aimed at supporting health and education initiatives and visiting displaced persons, not for political engagement,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate said in APril last year that efforts to reach the Benue State Governor ahead of the journey were unsuccessful.
“Despite multiple attempts to reach him directly and through his aides, I received no confirmation. Eventually, while en route to Makurdi, a press statement was issued warning against the visit,” Obi stated.
He added that the government’s statement curiously referenced the exact details of his itinerary—information he said had only been shared with the governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) and local security personnel.
“The letter referred exactly to my itinerary, which I had earlier conveyed to the ADC directly and to the security operatives in Benue through my own security,” Obi said.
Reacting to the incident in a statement posted to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Obi stated that his convoy was intercepted around 9:00 a.m. shortly after arriving in the state.
The former governor of Anambra State had set out to condole with victims and grieving families in Yelwata, where over 270 people were massacred.
According to the NDC flagbearer, the convoy was stopped by an unruly group chanting hostile slogans, including “Peter Obi, go back,” effectively bringing the visit to a halt.
Condemning the incident in his Tuesday post, Obi described the obstruction as alarming and emphasized that his presence in the state was entirely detached from campaign activities:
“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 solidarity at a moment of unimaginable pain,” Obi wrote.
“It is most worrisome that a visit intended purely to show solidarity, support, and compassion… could be obstructed in this manner.”
Obi linked the situation to a broader need for political tolerance, noting that only a day earlier, he had attended the Abuja opening of the national campaign office of an opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, to model mutual respect across party lines.
Drawing on his record as Anambra State governor, Obi noted that he routinely welcomed opposition figures and protected their right to operate freely within the bounds of the law.
He further cautioned against weaponizing partisan hostility in the wake of human tragedy.
“At a time when our nation should be united in grief and determined to prevent further loss of life, we must avoid every action capable of deepening our divisions.
Benue and the Nigerian people deserve to sleep without fear. They deserve to travel without fear. They deserve to farm their land without fear. Above all, they deserve to live in a country where the government places the protection of human life above every political consideration.”
Concluding his statement, Obi expressed ongoing solidarity with the Yelwata community despite the forced detour, reiterating that the NDC remains resolute in its mission to rebuild a nation where the fundamental security of every citizen is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, a senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Ameh, has condemned the reported attack and obstruction of the convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State.
Ameh, the NDC candidate for Kogi East Senatorial District, described the incident as “ridiculous and unacceptable,” alleging that the roadblock and intimidation reportedly suffered by Obi’s convoy could have been politically motivated.
In a statement, Ameh said no Nigerian should be subjected to harassment, threats or unnecessary obstruction while travelling on a public road, regardless of political affiliation.
He said: “Our roads belong to the people, and political influence must never be used to create fear, inconvenience, or a sense of lawlessness.”
Ameh also cited Sections 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee citizens’ rights to freedom of association and movement, arguing that any attempt to prevent Obi from moving freely amounted to an infringement of his fundamental rights.
The NDC candidate called for a transparent investigation into the incident, particularly if allegations that individuals connected to the Benue State Government were involved prove to be true.
He urged the Benue State Government to publicly condemn the incident and ensure that Obi’s visit to the state proceeds without further interference.
Ameh further called on security agencies and other relevant authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Public office is a responsibility, not a licence to intimidate citizens or empower thugs,” he said, stressing that Benue needed leadership committed to peace, accountability, constitutional rights and the rule of law.
The allegations contained in Ameh’s statement could not independently establish who was responsible for the reported obstruction or whether any government officials were involved.