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By Faith Eze
Peter Obi’s Convoy Blocked in Benue as Government Reacts
There was tension in Benue State on Tuesday after the convoy of Peter Obi was reportedly blocked by youths while he was trying to enter parts of the state.
According to reports, the incident happened along Gboko Road in Makurdi, close to the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport. Videos from the scene showed a group of people blocking the road and stopping Obi’s convoy from moving forward. Some of the protesters were reportedly heard saying that they did not want Peter Obi in the area.
Peter Obi explained that his visit to Benue was not mainly for political campaigning. He said he wanted to visit communities affected by recent attacks and express his sympathy to families who had lost loved ones.
The former Anambra State governor has previously visited communities affected by violence in Benue. In August, he visited Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju, where residents had suffered deaths, injuries and kidnappings. During that visit, he called on the Federal Government to do more to protect lives and property.
Following the latest incident, Obi said he was told that youths led by a government aide had decided to block his movement. He described the situation as unacceptable and questioned why people would be prevented from showing sympathy to communities affected by insecurity. However, the allegation that the youths were sponsored by the government has not been independently established.
The Benue State Government has denied having prior knowledge of Obi’s visit. An aide to Governor Hyacinth Alia said the government was not aware that Obi was coming to the state. The government also distanced itself from the incident.
The police have also confirmed that they were aware of Obi’s movement to Yelwata and provided security for his convoy. However, police authorities said the reason some youths blocked the convoy was not immediately known and that the matter was being monitored and investigated.
The incident has generated reactions from politicians and members of the public. Omoyele Sowore, another opposition politician, condemned the reported blockade and said political disagreements should not lead to violence or intimidation.
The situation has once again drawn attention to the political atmosphere in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election. It also raises questions about freedom of movement, political tolerance and the security of public figures.
For now, the important point is that Peter Obi’s convoy was stopped in Benue, while the reason for the blockade and the identities or affiliations of those responsible remain subjects of investigation. The Benue Government has denied prior knowledge of the visit, while Obi has criticised the incident.
As more information becomes available, Nigerians will expect the relevant authorities to establish what happened and ensure that political disagreements do not lead to violence or further tension in the country.