A political controversy has erupted in Benue State following an attack on the convoy of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway in Makurdi.
Obi, who arrived in Makurdi around 9 a.m., was travelling to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to commiserate with victims and families affected by the June 13, 2025 terrorist attack when his convoy was reportedly blocked by some youths.
The former Anambra State governor alleged that the state governor’s Special Assistant on Youths was behind the incident and accused the attackers of deliberately preventing him from reaching the affected community.
Obi said his visit was humanitarian and not politically motivated, stressing that he came to mourn with victims, listen to affected families and express solidarity with them.
The incident drew condemnation from Obi’s running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the NDC, the party’s Benue State deputy governorship candidate, Dr Raymond Edoh, and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), who called for a thorough investigation.
However, the Benue State Government denied any involvement in the incident.
The state police command confirmed that Obi’s convoy was blocked but said the reason for the action remained unknown. The police spokesperson, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said security operatives provided protection for the movement and were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, described Obi’s allegation as unfounded and rejected claims that government-sponsored thugs were responsible.
Alia said his administration neither engaged nor deployed thugs as instruments of governance or security, adding that if Obi posed any security concern, security agencies were responsible for handling it.
The governor also questioned whether Obi had formally notified the state government and security agencies of his planned visit, saying such notification would have allowed for proper security coordination.
Benue State Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, similarly criticised Obi for allegedly failing to notify the government of his visit, arguing that a high-profile political figure of his status should have informed the authorities in advance.
Meanwhile, Kwankwaso described the incident as “a dark day for our democracy” and called on the authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to caution state governors against actions capable of undermining democratic freedoms.
The NDC condemned what it described as the “shameful attack and obstruction” of Obi’s convoy and called on the state government and security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of political leaders and citizens.
The NDC deputy governorship candidate in Benue, Dr Raymond Edoh, also urged security agencies to determine whether any security personnel were involved in the road blockade.
HURIWA described the incident as “lawless, reckless and provocative” and called for an impartial investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the identities and motives of the youths who blocked Obi’s convoy remained unclear at the time of filing the report.
The incident is also the second time Obi has faced obstruction during a planned humanitarian visit to Benue. In April 2025, he abandoned a planned visit to Makurdi after the state government raised security concerns and warned that visits to IDP camps required prior approval.
