MAKURDI, Benue State — The convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi was blocked by protesters on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, preventing him from proceeding to communities affected by recent violence in Benue State.
Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, reported that the blockade occurred along Gboko Road (also referred to as Boko Road) near the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi shortly after the former Anambra State governor and his entourage arrived in the state.
Videos circulating on social media showed groups of people, some armed with sticks, barricading the road and chanting against Obi’s entry. Reports also indicated that stones were thrown during the confrontation.
Obi stated that the visit was humanitarian in nature and not part of his political campaign. He said he had travelled to Benue to console victims of attacks, particularly in the Yelwata area, where scores of people were reportedly k!lled in recent incidents of insecurity.
“I am in Benue today not for campaigns. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives, to condole and show solidarity with them,” Obi said at the scene. He alleged that youths led by a Special Assistant to the state government blocked the road to prevent him from reaching the affected communities.
The NDC candidate described the incident as a reflection of the deterioration of Nigerian politics and called for greater unity and tolerance. He maintained that his itinerary was not a secret and that state authorities were aware of his plans. Obi insisted the blockade would not deter his engagements across the country.
The Benue State Government denied any involvement. Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, said the government was unaware of Obi’s presence in the state and rejected claims that it had deployed thugs.
“We are not aware whether he is in the state or not. If the Benue State Government is to stop anybody, including Peter Obi, why would the Benue State Government go and use thugs? Benue government doesn’t do that,” Kula said.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi, who was ratified as the NDC presidential candidate earlier in 2026, has been touring states including Kogi, Benue and Enugu, focusing on issues of insecurity, healthcare, education and poverty.
Benue has faced persistent challenges with farmer-herder conflicts and other forms of violence, leading to significant loss of lives and displacement of residents. Obi’s planned visit was intended to show solidarity with survivors and IDP communities.
Videos of the roadblock, including one shared by The Barrister Street Network on Instagram, quickly gained traction online, sparking debates about freedom of movement, political intolerance and the role of state governments in regulating high-profile visits.
As of the latest reports, Obi’s team continued engagements in the state capital despite the disruption. Security agencies have not issued an official statement on the incident.
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