Thugs, suspected to be supporters of the Benue state governor, Hyacinth Alia Tuesday morning blocked the Convoy of Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Benue State, on Tuesday.
The incident which occurred along the Makurdi Gboko road near the Airforce Base drew widespread anger from residents of the area.
Mr Obi’s official Photographer, Esther Umoh released photos and Videos of the incidence on her X handle.
“We have just arrived in Benue State, where alleged sponsored thugs have blocked Boko Road by the Air Force Base, attempting to prevent Peter Obi from gaining access to the state,” she wrote.
It was not clear at the time of filing this report whether any arrests were made.
Addressing journalists shortly after, Obi said his visit was not connected to political campaigning but intended to allow him condole communities affected by killings and demonstrate solidarity with residents.
“Today, I’m in Benue, not for campaign. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives, and condole them, show solidarity with them,” Obi said.
“But as you can see, the level in which our politics has deteriorated.
“That was why yesterday, I joined the APM family, with the presidential candidate, in launching his office, and used that to plead with people, let our next politics be a politics of unity, a politics of love, justice, and shared sense of being safe.
“All I can say to you is that we have no other country, we have no other country except this one, and we will all build it based on unity, based on love, and shared sense of doing the right thing… everybody knows what is happening in this country” he said.
This is not the first time that the Benue state government will block Peter Obi from entering Benue state.
On 14 April 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia warned Mr Obi against making what he described as an unscheduled visit to the state.
Mr Obi was expected to visit internally displaced persons in Benue on that day.
In a statement titled “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State,” Mr Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said anyone planning to visit IDP camps in the state was required to obtain approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency.
The governor also said he could not guarantee the safety of anyone visiting the state without his knowledge or clearance.
“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed,” the statement said.
The governor further warned against visits that could result in what he called “political assemblies” without prior approval.