Presidential candidate Seyi Makinde has condemned the reported blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy by angry youths during his visit to Benue State.
Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), visited Benue on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
He was in the state for his 2027 presidential campaign and planned to visit Yelwata to meet families affected by the June 2025 attacks.
Peter Obi’s convoy blocked on Makurdi-Gboko highway
The situation reportedly changed shortly after Obi left the airport.
His convoy encountered a roadblock on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, where angry youths had taken over the road.
The blockade reportedly stopped traffic in both directions.
The road remained closed to other users, while police officers were said to have done little to disperse the youths.
The incident has now triggered a political response from Makinde, who described the development as “deeply disturbing”.
Makinde accuses APC of opposition crackdown
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, Makinde strongly condemned the incident.
He alleged that suspected state-sponsored thugs obstructed Obi’s convoy while he was travelling to Yelwata.
Makinde described the action as “totally unacceptable”. He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of trying to intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the incident came just 24 hours after Obi joined other opposition figures at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office.
That event took place on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Makinde further alleged that the APC was resorting to intimidation and harassment because of growing opposition activity.
The claims are political allegations contained in Makinde’s statement. The supplied report does not include a response from the APC to them.
Makinde challenges Benue government’s position
The APM presidential candidate also took issue with the Benue State Government’s reported position on Obi’s visit.
Makinde referenced Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement within Nigeria.
He also cited Section 40, which protects the right to peaceful assembly and association.
The statement rejected the argument that Obi needed prior permission from the state government before visiting Benue.
Makinde said Nigerians have a constitutional right to enter and move freely within any state while carrying out legitimate activities.
He argued that this right should apply regardless of whether the person is a presidential candidate.
Makinde demands police investigation
Makinde said roadblocks and the use of thugs against opposition candidates should have no place in a constitutional democracy.
He therefore called on the Nigerian Police Force to investigate the incident.
The campaign also demanded that those responsible should be identified and brought to justice.
Makinde said his campaign remained committed to a peaceful electoral process.
However, he insisted that the reported incident would not stop the opposition from participating in the political process.
For now, the central dispute remains over what happened on the Makurdi-Gboko highway and who was responsible for the blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy during his Benue visit.
