The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the reported blockade of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State.
Sowore, in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, alleged that the incident appeared to be a sponsored blockade and attack on Obi as he attempted to enter Makurdi, the state capital.
“I have watched videos showing what appears to be a sponsored blockade and attack on NDC presidential candidate @PeterObi as he attempted to enter the state capital to carry out legitimate campaign activities.
“I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage. This is totally unacceptable.
“No candidate should be prevented through violence, intimidation or sponsored thuggery from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria. Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians. They must desist immediately before it is too late,” he said.
Obi was reportedly stopped on Tuesday after protesters barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, with videos showing youths chanting, “We don’t want Peter Obi.”
The protesters reportedly blocked the road around the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, preventing Obi’s convoy from proceeding.
In a video posted by News Central Television on its X handle, Obi said he had travelled to Benue to condole with victims of the killings in the state but was stopped on the orders of a government aide.
“I was told that youths, led by an SA (Special Assistant) to the government, have decided to block the road and make sure I don’t go there,” Obi said.
However, the Benue State Government denied knowledge of Obi’s visit and distanced itself from the incident.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said the state government was unaware of Obi’s planned visit.
“We are not aware of his coming to the state, and if it were to be security agents that stopped him, it would have been easy for us to find out what happened,” Tersoo said.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s movement to Yelwata and that its operatives provided security for the convoy.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the circumstances surrounding the blockade remained unclear.
“The reason the convoy was blocked by some youths is still unknown. We are monitoring the situation and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Aondongu said.
