![\"\"](\"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/peter-obi-blocked-from-benue-300x146.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The political atmosphere ahead of Nigeria\u2019s 2027 general elections came under renewed scrutiny on Tuesday after the convoy of the presidential candidate\u00a0 of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),\u00a0 Peter Obi, was blocked by youths along the Gboko-Makurdi road in Benue State.<\/p>\n
Obi, a former\u00a0governor of Anambra\u00a0State, said he\u00a0had travelled to\u00a0Benue primarily to\u00a0visit Yelwata in\u00a0Guma Local Government\u00a0Area, where scores\u00a0of residents were\u00a0killed in a\u00a0June 2025 attack, and to sympathise\u00a0with bereaved families.<\/p>\n
The incident, which occurred around the Gyado Villa area near the Nigerian Air Force Base, forced Obi’s entourage to abandon the planned journey. Videos circulated by Obi’s campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, appeared to show a group of men carrying sticks and other objects on the road, with security personnel positioned\u00a0 between the crowd and the convoy. Other footage showed the convoy turning back.<\/p>\n
The Benue State Police Command subsequently\u00a0 confirmed that Obi’s movement was known to the police and that officers provided security for the journey. However, the command said it had not established why the youths blocked the convoy and had commenced an investigation.<\/p>\n
According to Police\u00a0Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Orchia\u00a0Aondongu, the command\u00a0was \u201caware of\u00a0the incident involving\u00a0Peter Obi\u2019s movement\u00a0to Yelwata\u201d and\u00a0had deployed personnel\u00a0to provide security. He said the\u00a0reason for the\u00a0blockade remained unknown.<\/p>\n
Obi: \u201cI Am\u00a0in Benue, Not\u00a0for Campaign\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking to journalists\u00a0after the incident, Obi rejected the\u00a0suggestion that his\u00a0presence in Benue\u00a0was connected to\u00a0electioneering.<\/p>\n He said he had gone to the state because people had been killed and he wanted to express sympathy\u00a0 and solidarity with their families.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, I\u2019m in\u00a0Benue, not for\u00a0campaign. I only\u00a0wanted to go\u00a0to a place\u00a0where people lost\u00a0their lives, and\u00a0condole them, show\u00a0solidarity with them,\u201d Obi said.<\/p>\n He described the\u00a0development as evidence\u00a0of the deterioration\u00a0of political engagement\u00a0in Nigeria and\u00a0warned against allowing\u00a0political competition to\u00a0descend into violence\u00a0and intimidation.<\/p>\n Obi also appealed\u00a0to the police\u00a0and other security\u00a0agencies to intervene, describing the obstruction\u00a0as unacceptable.<\/p>\n The NDC candidate’s\u00a0account was corroborated\u00a0in part by\u00a0the police confirmation\u00a0that the convoy\u00a0was indeed blocked. The police, however, have not attributed\u00a0the action to\u00a0any political party, government official or\u00a0particular group.<\/p>\n Obi Accuses Governor\u2019s Aide; Alia Government\u00a0 Denies Allegation<\/strong><\/p>\n The incident quickly\u00a0became politically charged\u00a0after Obi alleged\u00a0that youths involved\u00a0in the blockade\u00a0were being led\u00a0by an aide\u00a0to Benue State\u00a0Governor,\u00a0Hyacinth Alia.<\/p>\n Obi said he\u00a0was informed that\u00a0youths allegedly acting\u00a0under the direction\u00a0of a government\u00a0aide had blocked\u00a0the road to\u00a0prevent him from\u00a0reaching Yelwata.<\/p>\n Citizens of Heaven, Ambassadors on Earth<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n