Benin City, Edo State — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, arrived in Benin City on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to a massive outpouring of support as he joined Catholic faithful and dignitaries for funeral rites of the late Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
Videos shared by Obi’s campaign photographer and media aide, Esther Umoh, and circulating widely on social media showed the former Anambra State governor surrounded by a heavy crowd of excited supporters and security personnel.
Hundreds of residents lined the streets at night as his convoy made its way toward the Holy Cross Cathedral on Mission Road for the service of songs and vigil Mass.
The turnout was described as organic and unannounced, with youths leaving their homes upon hearing of his presence and turning the arrival into a triumphant entry.
Some accounts noted it took time for Obi to enter the venue due to the size of the gathering, as people pressed forward for pictures and closer views.
Akubeze, who served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City and previously as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) from 2018 to 2022, died on July 9, 2026, at the age of 69.
The archdiocese scheduled a vigil Mass at Holy Cross Cathedral on August 12, followed by overnight Masses, with the lying-in-state, Office for the Dead, and Funeral Mass held on Thursday, August 13, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Airport Road.
Obi was also present for the funeral Mass, accompanied by former Nigerian Bar Association President Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata.
The visit drew particular attention because it came despite an earlier warning from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo. In July 2025, the governor had publicly cautioned Obi against entering the state without prior notification and official security clearance, linking a previous visit (during which Obi donated funds to a nursing school) to subsequent unrest and stating that Obi’s security would not be guaranteed otherwise.
The warning had sparked backlash at the time from those who argued any Nigerian has the right to visit any state.
Social media reactions on August 12–13 focused on the large, spontaneous crowd and the governor’s apparent silence following Obi’s arrival. Television host Rufai Oseni posted a message directed at Okpebholo noting Obi’s presence in Edo.
Other commentators highlighted the lack of formal campaign mobilisation, with residents simply turning out after word spread, and described the reception as evidence of strong grassroots affection.
Obi, a Catholic, had previously issued a tribute upon Akubeze’s death in July, describing him as a “remarkable and compassionate shepherd” and a courageous voice for truth, justice, and development. The funeral rites have drawn clergy, government officials, and members of the public to honour the late archbishop’s legacy of humility and service.
The events underscore ongoing political dynamics in Edo State ahead of the 2027 elections, with Obi’s presence generating significant public interest even in a non-campaign context. No official statement from Governor Okpebholo’s office responding specifically to the August 12 arrival was widely reported in the immediate aftermath.
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