A scheduled visit to Benue State by the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Development Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was disrupted on Tuesday after suspected thugs confronted his convoy along the Gboko Road in Makurdi.
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after Obi and his team arrived in the state. His convoy was said to have been stopped near the Air Force Base, where a group of men allegedly blocked the road and prevented the former Anambra State governor from proceeding with his planned engagements.
Obi’s campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, who shared videos of the incident on X, alleged that the men were sponsored and had gathered along the road to prevent the politician from gaining access to the state.
In one of the videos obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Obi’s convoy could be seen turning back as a group of men carrying objects resembling sticks, clubs and stones pursued the vehicles. Some of the men also appeared to throw objects in the direction of the convoy.
Another video showed police officers positioned between Obi’s convoy and the crowd. However, the group appeared to breach the police line and continued moving towards the vehicles as they attempted to leave the area.
The convoy eventually turned back and left the location.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident, and attempts to obtain its reaction were unsuccessful.
NDC Alleges Political Sponsorship
Following the incident, the NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Terhemba Shija, alleged that the individuals who confronted Obi’s convoy were sponsored by the state government.
The allegation could not be independently verified, and neither the Benue State Government nor Governor Hyacinth Alia had, at the time of filing, publicly accepted responsibility for the incident.
Speaking to supporters after the confrontation, Obi expressed disappointment over the development, saying he had travelled to Benue to show solidarity with communities affected by deadly attacks in the state.
He said his intention was to visit the state and offer support to victims and communities affected by the 2025 Yelewata killings.
According to Obi, the disruption would not stop him from expressing solidarity with people affected by insecurity.
He also criticised the use of political supporters to restrict people’s freedom of movement, arguing that such actions could further deepen Nigeria’s political and security challenges.
Second Disruption of Obi’s Benue Visit
Tuesday’s incident is the second reported disruption involving a planned visit by Obi to Benue State.
In April 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia warned Obi against making what the state government described as an unscheduled visit to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Obi had planned to visit displaced persons in the state, but the governor’s office said visitors to IDP camps were required to coordinate with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency for security and administrative reasons.
The governor also warned that the safety of individuals visiting the camps without the knowledge and clearance of the state authorities could not be guaranteed.
The development generated controversy, with Obi accusing the authorities of politicising a humanitarian visit.
Governor Alia Defended 2025 Decision
On April 24, 2025, Alia defended his decision during an interview, insisting that his position was motivated by security concerns and established protocols rather than political considerations.
The governor said high-profile visitors to the state should notify the state government and relevant authorities before undertaking visits, particularly to sensitive locations such as IDP camps.
He also argued that the government needed to know the purpose of such visits and what assistance visitors intended to provide to displaced communities.
Alia maintained that genuine humanitarian assistance was welcome but should be coordinated in a manner that would protect the safety of displaced persons and visitors.
Visit Comes Amid Renewed Insecurity in Benue
The latest confrontation occurred against the backdrop of renewed insecurity in several parts of Benue State.
Communities in local government areas including Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum have experienced attacks that have resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement and destruction of property.
Obi’s visit was reportedly intended, among other things, to express solidarity with communities affected by the violence.
The confrontation has consequently renewed concerns about political tolerance, freedom of movement and the treatment of opposition figures ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
However, allegations that the individuals involved were sponsored by the state government, as well as claims that security personnel deliberately prevented Obi from proceeding, remain unverified.
The incident underscores the need for political actors, security agencies and state authorities to prioritise peaceful engagement, public safety and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.