The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and the Benue State Government have engaged in a public exchange of accusations after youths blocked a major road in Makurdi on Tuesday, preventing Obi's convoy from proceeding to Yelwata, where he had planned to visit families affected by last year's mass killing in the community.
Obi alleged that the blockade was carried out by hired thugs acting on the instructions of a government aide, describing the development as unacceptable and accusing those involved of being used for political purposes despite being victims of the same poverty and insecurity plaguing the state. He maintained that his trip was purely humanitarian and that his itinerary had been properly communicated to relevant authorities ahead of time.
The Benue State Government, however, denied any involvement in the incident, insisting that Obi failed to formally notify the state of his visit despite his status as a former governor and presidential candidate. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, argued that proper security coordination could not be guaranteed without such notice, while suggesting that the blockade may have coincided with an unrelated gathering of youths from across the state's local government areas. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, went further, dismissing Obi's account as an attempt to drag the state government into what he described as an internal NDC political dispute, and questioned whether Obi had genuinely visited Makurdi at all.
Adding a layer of contradiction to the state government's position, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, confirmed that the police command had indeed been notified ahead of Obi's visit and had deployed officers, including a senior operations officer, to provide security for his movement. He said the command was still investigating why youths obstructed the convoy despite the police presence. The command's spokesperson similarly confirmed that officers had been assigned to the movement and that the reason behind the blockade remained unclear.
The incident occurred along Gboko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, where protesters reportedly chanted against Obi's presence and brought traffic to a standstill for hours before his convoy was forced to turn back toward the airport, ending the planned visit to Yelwata, where more than 200 people were killed in an attack in June 2025.
The NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Professor Terhemba Shija, defended the visit, stating that the party had duly informed the police and the Department of State Services ahead of time, and argued that Obi's status as a presidential candidate, combined with the lifting of the campaign ban by the Independent National Electoral Commission, meant no further permission should have been required. He described the blockade as evidence that Obi remains a political force to be reckoned with.
Following the disruption, Obi proceeded to Jos, Plateau State, where he visited a community in Mangu Local Government Area affected by recent attacks. There, he lamented the prolonged displacement of residents, noting that about 45,000 people from more than twenty communities in the state remain in internally displaced persons camps. He called on the Federal Government to take firmer action against the killings and displacement affecting both Plateau and Benue states, stressing that responsibility for protecting lives rests squarely with the government rather than prayers alone.
The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation from political figures and civil society groups. Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, described the blockade as an assault on democracy and a violation of the recently signed political peace accord, calling for an impartial investigation and prosecution of those responsible, while noting that the actions of a few should not be used to characterise the broader Benue population. Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, also condemned the incident as undemocratic, insisting that no political actor or group has the right to determine who can access any part of the country, and urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure accountability for those behind the obstruction.
The NDC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, demanded an immediate investigation and the prosecution of those responsible, describing the party's resolve to continue advocating for the protection of Nigerian lives despite the setback. Civil society groups, including the National Electoral Accountability Consortium and the Tap Initiative for Citizens' Development, similarly called for an inquiry into the incident, insisting that no Nigerian should be denied the right to carry out lawful political or civic activities through intimidation or violence.
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