Benue Protest Against My Visit Initiated By Governor’s Aide — Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that a Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor mobilised youths who blocked his convoy from proceeding to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of the state.

Obi made the allegation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after he was prevented from reaching the community, where he had planned to condole with families affected by recent terrorist attacks.

He said he travelled to Benue to sympathise with families who lost more than 200 people in recent attacks and to offer support to communities affected by insecurity and poverty.

According to Obi, the youths barricaded the road and prevented him from continuing his journey despite waiting for some time in the hope that they would allow him to proceed.

“I am currently in Benue State to express my condolences to the families who have lost over 200 members to terrorist attacks in recent times. However, I have been informed that youths, led by the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor, have blocked the road to prevent me from proceeding,” he said.

Obi described the development as unacceptable, saying Nigerians should be able to visit communities affected by violence to offer sympathy and solidarity without being obstructed.

He said the incident was particularly disturbing given the level of insecurity and poverty confronting residents of the state.

“We can’t have a country like this. It doesn’t make sense to me. The rascality they are bringing in this country is totally unacceptable. We must have a country,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor also urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for rebuilding the country, saying the country belonged to everyone regardless of political affiliation.

He alleged that the youths involved in the protest were being used by political interests, warning that such actions could eventually have consequences for those participating in them.

“They are being used to do this. What they are doing now will take its revenge on them. They don’t know that,” he said.

Obi further linked his visit to his broader call for economic empowerment, arguing that poverty and insecurity could not be addressed without creating opportunities for Nigerians to earn a livelihood.

“These people are hungry. These people are insecure. These are the same people we must lift out of poverty by creating opportunities for them to earn a livelihood. And that is one of the key purposes of my visit,” he said.

The NDC candidate said he was disappointed that he could not reach Yelwata despite travelling a long distance to the state for the visit.

When asked whether he would abandon the mission, Obi said he would return to Benue.

“Of course, I’ll come back several times,” he said.

Earlier, LEADERSHIP reported that suspected thugs allegedly attacked Obi’s convoy along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway while he was travelling to Yelwata.

The incident reportedly occurred after Obi arrived in Makurdi on Tuesday morning and proceeded towards Yelwata to sympathise with victims of the June 13, 2025, attack in the community.

The Benue State NDC Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem Ordedoo, alleged that thousands of thugs were mobilised to stop the former Anambra governor from entering Yelwata.

Ordedoo claimed the NDC candidate was also carrying relief materials intended for victims of the attack.

“Thugs in their numbers mobilised in thousands and stopped the presidential candidate of NDC, Mr Peter Obi, from entering Yelwata to condole with victims and offer relief materials worth billions,” he alleged.

However, the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied involvement in the incident.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yaweh, said the APC was not aware of the reported attack and rejected any suggestion that it had mobilised supporters to obstruct Obi’s movement.