In Addressing journalists in Makurdi, the Commissioner of police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the investigation is still ongoing as key leaders of the youths are being trailed, warning that the police in Benue State will not allow any act of political intolerance as the general election approaches.
The development followed the blockade of Obi’s convoy by angry youths during the visit to Benue State for his political campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election, and to pay a visit to the Yelewata, where he was billed to meet and commiserate with victims of the June 2025 attacks.
However, when his convoy encountered a full roadblock on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway by the irate youths, trouble began a short distance from the airport.
Due to the road’s closure to all users and the police’s lack of effort to disperse the young people from the highway, the blockade caused traffic congestion.
In response, the NDC presidential candidate urged young Nigerians to refrain from being exploited by the ruling class, which is responsible for the dire economic circumstances they currently face.
“It is ridiculous. Our experience this morning is very very worrisome. We arrived Makurdi at 9 AM, but on our way to the Yelewata community, to console and show solidarity with the family affected by the killings of over 270 persons in that community, and support them in any way I can, only to be blocked by thugs shouting, ‘Peter Obi go back!. Peter Obi go back!’
“And I was wondering: are we still in Nigeria? Because, even the campaign I have started, I should be able to move around freely. But we didn’t want to go on and cause confusion and possibly endanger the lives of other people, so I decided to remain as civil as possible.
“I am using this occasion to appeal to the security agencies, the IG of police, and other agencies, to please intervene and be able to call various state governors to order. I was a state governor myself. This rascality cannot be allowed. We are a country, and can we confront these people on our own if these people cannot provide us with security?
“We can not go on this way. This is unacceptable”, Obi lamented.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC (as posited by the Benue State Government) or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy.
“Some have also accused Obi of attempting to whip up fresh emotions by attempting to visit Yelwata where the unfortunate killings happened more than a year ago just for political reasons, hence the blockade.
“That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference.
“However, there is no better time to draw attention of Nigerians and the world to the spin that the partisan section of the media usually put to such incidents.
“Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’. When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’.
“Just check most headlines today. This is what is unacceptable. In fact, many opposition leaders openly boasts that the APC candidates cannot go to some parts of this country and shout ‘APC!’ without being ‘stoned’, ‘beaten’ or molested, yet the partisan Press do not call out such leaders and even help to accentuate such statements. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
“The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all. Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns”, Keyamo stated in a tweet via his official X handle.
It’s encouraging to see law enforcement taking decisive action by arresting those connected to the assault on Obi’s convoy. Such acts of violence have no place in a country governed by law and order. It is essential that justice is served and that everyone is held accountable to maintain peace and stability in the nation.
