Thugs disrupt Peter Obi's visit to Benue for the second time

A visit by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), to Benue State on Tuesday faced disruption from suspected thugs. They confronted his convoy along Gboko Road in Makurdi.

Mr Obi was on a scheduled visit when thugs stopped his convoy near the Air Force Base. This incident, according to his campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, happened shortly after they arrived in Benue.

Ms Umoh shared details on X, posting videos of the event. She claimed that thugs blocked the road. "We have just arrived in Benue State, where alleged sponsored thugs have blocked Boko Road by the Air Force Base, attempting to prevent Peter Obi from gaining access into the state," she said.

In one video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Obi’s convoy is seen turning back while a group of men with clubs, stones, sticks, and other objects chased the vehicles. The men also threw objects at the convoy as it tried to leave the area.

Another video showed police officers positioned between the convoy and the group. The thugs, however, broke through the police line and continued their pursuit. Eventually, the convoy turned back and left the area.

At the time of writing this report, the police had not released any official statement regarding the incident and could not be contacted for comments.

NDC alleges government involvement

In another video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Terhemba Shija, the NDC governorship candidate in Benue, claimed that the thugs were backed by the state government. This claim had not been verified at the time of this report.

After the incident, Mr Obi expressed his disappointment and said he decided to return after being blocked from entering the state. He stated he was visiting Benue to show support for communities affected by the Yelewata killings in 2025.

“They killed, hundreds of people lost their life. I started to come back. And someone told me that they decided to lock the road and make sure I don’t go,” Mr Obi said. He called the situation unacceptable and urged Nigerians to see that the country belongs to everyone.

“We must have a country. People are killed every day in Benue. People want to show solidarity and comfort. People want to show that they are with them. I came here all the way this morning,” he said.

Mr Obi also criticized using political supporters and others to block free movement, stating such actions do not help tackle insecurity and poverty.

This incident marks the second time Mr Obi's planned visit to Benue has been disrupted. On April 14, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia warned him against making what he called an unscheduled visit.

Mr Obi was supposed to visit internally displaced persons in Benue that day. In a statement titled “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State,” Mr Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said anyone wanting to visit IDP camps in the state must get approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency.

The governor also mentioned he could not guarantee the safety of anyone visiting without his clearance. "For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed," the statement said.

The governor also warned against visits that could lead to what he called "political assemblies" without prior approval.

April 24, 2025: Alia explains why Obi was stopped

On April 24, 2025, Mr Alia explained his decision during an interview on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines. He denied that his decision was politically motivated. His main concern was the safety of IDPs and following protocols.

"I can never politicise this issue. I am the one bearing the brunt and the pains of the IDPs in my state. It’s my duty to protect them. I am the one on the ground, feeling the same sorrow and pain as the IDPs," Mr Alia said.

He added that high-profile visitors need to inform the state government and follow set protocols. "If you are coming into someone’s state as a very high-profile personality, there are protocols. Your party should know, and I, as the sitting governor, should also be informed," he said.

Obi accused government of politicising visit

Mr Obi later took to X to complain about how his planned visit was treated, accusing the government of politicising a humanitarian effort. The disagreement between Mr Obi and Mr Alia has become a point of tension over past visits to Benue and the state government's insistence on coordination.

Tuesday’s incident comes amid renewed violence in several areas of Benue. Communities in Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum local government areas have seen attacks recently, leading to deaths, injuries, displacement, and property destruction.

Mr Obi’s visit came against this backdrop. The NDC candidate said his intention was to show solidarity with the affected communities. The latest incident raises new questions about political tolerance and how opposition politicians are treated as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

While Mr Obi’s team has claimed that thugs and security personnel stopped him from entering Makurdi, the allegations against the state government and security agencies have not been independently verified at the time of writing.