The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement have condemned the alleged obstruction of the convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.
Obi, a former Anambra governor, was reportedly stopped by suspected thugs on Gboko Road while attempting to access the state. Videos shared on X by his photographer, Esther Umoh, showed a mob pursuing the convoy.
Obi said he travelled to Benue to sympathise with victims of the 2025 Yelewata massacre and not for campaign activities. He alleged that “thugs” led by one of the governor’s aides prevented him from accessing the affected community.
The Benue State Government, however, denied prior knowledge of the visit and dismissed the allegations as “lies” intended to tarnish the image of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Reacting to the incident, NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director described the alleged obstruction as deeply troubling, saying Obi’s visit was solely to mourn with bereaved families and express solidarity with the victims.
Director said that despite being denied access to the community, the party and its candidate remained committed to supporting the victims and would not be deterred from pursuing what it described as the government’s fundamental responsibility to protect lives.
“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 statement reads.
The Obidient Movement separately described the incident as a “state-backed attempt to block Obi’s freedom of movement”, alleging that it was the second time the Alia administration had attempted to prevent the former Anambra governor from travelling freely 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 group said.
“Now, organized thugs have barricaded major highways near the Air Force Base and Makurdi airport, deliberately gridlocking traffic to disrupt his movement.”
The movement also 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.
It maintained that Benue belongs “strictly to its people”, arguing that Obi, as a Nigerian citizen, has an “unchallengeable constitutional right to travel, assemble, and engage with citizens anywhere across the country without seeking permission, clearance, or safe passage from anyone”.
The group further accused APC governors, including Alia and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, of allegedly using “criminal acts against Obi” to remain in the good books of President Bola Tinubu.
It demanded “an immediate end to the threats, the highway thuggery, and the orchestrated machinery meant to frustrate” Obi.
Responding to the allegations, Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, said the state government had no prior knowledge of Obi’s visit.
“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),” Kula said.
“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 posed no threat to Alia, adding that security agencies were available to address any concerns had the visit been properly coordinated.
He described Alia as “a peace-loving Reverend gentleman” who does not “engage, patronize, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security”.
The governor’s spokesperson also accused Obi of failing to follow the required security protocol by not formally notifying relevant authorities before entering the state.
“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 a visit by a presidential candidate would require security coordination with the commissioner of police and other relevant agencies.
He further questioned Obi’s decision to link the incident to the governor, saying the Alia administration would not be distracted by attempts to create political controversies.
“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace.”
