Peter Obi and Benue Government Trade Blame Following Blocked Convoy in Makurdi

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and the Benue State Government exchanged heavy accusations on Tuesday after political agitators disrupted Obi’s planned visit to the Yelwata community. Demonstrators barricaded a major highway in Makurdi, preventing the politician’s convoy from traveling to the area to pay condolences to victims of a recent massacre.

Obi reported that his delegation was ambushed along Gboko Road, near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, where a crowd of youth protesters blocked the road while chanting opposition slogans. The NDC leader openly accused suspected hired thugs—allegedly operating under the instructions of a state government aide—of deliberately orchestrating the roadblock to prevent him from reaching the grief-stricken community.

Rejecting the allegations, the Benue State Government denied sponsoring or organizing the demonstration, maintaining that Obi brought the situation upon himself by bypassing standard administrative protocols. State officials stressed that high-profile political figures are expected to officially notify state authorities ahead of visits to ensure adequate security coordination, particularly in sensitive security corridors.

Addressing the dispute, Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, clarified that while the government holds a duty to protect prominent visitors, it cannot deploy proper safeguards without advance notice. “Given his status as a former governor and presidential candidate, formal communication was necessary,” Iorpev noted, accusing Obi of attempting to manufacture a political controversy out of a administrative oversight.

The Benue State Police Command countered claims of a complete lack of notice, confirming that law enforcement agencies were aware of Obi’s arrival and had deployed personnel along his planned route. However, police authorities acknowledged that a group of youths managed to temporarily obstruct the convoy, adding that an official investigation is underway to determine the motives behind the blockade and identify those responsible.

The disrupted visit was intended as a humanitarian trip to Yelwata, a community still recovering from severe violence following a deadly attack between June 13 and June 14, 2025. The incident underscores the heightened political friction across the state as party leaders navigate volatile local dynamics ahead of upcoming electoral campaigns.