Thugs Block Peter Obi Motorcade for Benue, Force Am make e Turn Back From Yelwata.
Motorcade of Peter Obi, presidential candidate for Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), don reportedly come under attack for Benue State on Tuesday as some youths block di road and stop am from reaching Yelwata for Guma Local Government Area.
Di incident happen for Gboko Road, around Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport area, shortly after Obi arrive Benue State.
According to reports, some of di youths carry sticks, clubs, stones and other objects as dem stand for road and prevent Obi motorcade from continuing di journey. Videos wey circulate for social media show how di vehicles turn back while some of di youths move towards dem.
Police officers also appear for di scene as dem try control di situation and keep di youths away from di convoy.
Obi bin dey go Yelwata mainly for humanitarian reason. E want visit communities wey don suffer serious violence and meet families wey lose their loved ones during di deadly attack for Yelwata for June 2025.
Before di journey, Obi explain say di visit no be campaign programme. E say na opportunity for am to sympathise with families wey dey mourn and show solidarity with people wey violence don affect.
But after di incident, Obi accuse some people connected to Benue State Government of mobilizing youths to block his movement. E particularly allege say one Special Assistant to di state government get hand for di mobilisation.
Obi condemn di development and describe am as serious political intolerance. E maintain say people suppose get freedom to visit communities and sympathise with victims without political obstruction.
Di Benue State Police Command don confirm say some youths block and attack di convoy as e dey move towards Yelwata.
Police spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, say security personnel protect Obi and members of his team during di incident. According to di police, investigation don start to find out exactly wetin happen and who dey behind di action.
However, di allegation say government official sponsor di youths never get independent confirmation.
Benue State APC publicity secretary, Benedict Yaweh, also deny knowledge of any such arrangement. E say APC no dey support or engage in political thuggery.
Di incident don already attract reactions from opposition politicians. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, together with African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, condemn di development and call for accountability.
Dem warn say political violence, intimidation and obstruction of political activities fit damage democratic participation and increase tension ahead of future elections.
Di Yelwata visit dey come against di background of serious insecurity for Benue State. Many communities for di state don experience deadly attacks, displacement and loss of properties, making security and protection of civilians major issue for residents and political leaders.
Di attack on Obi motorcade therefore dey raise fresh questions about political tolerance, security and di freedom of political figures to move around and engage with affected communities.
For now, police investigation go determine di full circumstances surrounding di incident, including who organise di youths and whether anybody go face legal action.