Photo: Mr Peter Obi
By Mandy Park
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement Wednesday reacted to the denial of Sir Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, access in to Benue State and the accompanied mob action Tuesday. The party which condemned the action said to have been carried out by suspected thugs had earlier blocked Obi’s convoy on Gboko road while he was attempting to access the State.
In a series of videos shared on X by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, the mob was seen chasing the NDC presidential candidate’s convoy in the North-Central State.
The former governor of Anambra State said he visited the State not for campaign purposes but to sympathise with victims of the 2025 Yelewata massacre.
Obi alleged that he was denied access by “thugs” allegedly led by one of the Governor’s aides.
The Benue State government denied having prior knowledge of the visit, describing Obi’s claims as “lies” aimed at tarnishing the image of Hyacinth Alia, Governor of the State.
A statement issued by Osa Director, NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, diclosed that the party found it deeply troubling and condemnable that a visit intended solely to mourn with grieving families and offer solidarity could be obstructed in such a manner.
Director said although, access to the community was denied, the hearts and prayers of the party and Obi remained with the victims of the Yelewata killings and the entire community.
He maintained that the party “will not be deterred” and would persist in its bid to restore the fundamental responsibility of government, which is the protection of life of every Nigerian.
Read the statement: “We call on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and guarantee the safety of all citizens and leaders who seek to show solidarity in times of grief”.
Similarly, the media directorate of the Obidient Movement also condemned what it described as a “state-backed attempt to block Obi’s freedom of movement” in Benue State.
The Obidient Movement claimed the incident was the second time the Alia administration “has actively moved to prevent Obi from freely traveling through Benue”.
Offered the statement: “First came the Governor’s public threat that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without State permission, forcing a cancelled visit.
“If Governor Alia commands a political militia capable of taking over major roads at a moment’s notice to target political opponents, is Governor Hyacinth Alia playing political games with the very security apparatus of Benue State while innocent citizens suffer daily violence?
“The group said Benue State belongs “strictly to its people”, and not to the Governor, adding that Obi, as a lawful citizen of Nigeria, holds an “unchallengeable constitutional right to travel, assemble, and engage with citizens anywhere across the country without seeking permission, clearance, or safe passage from anyone”.
The Obidient Movement further condemned what it described as a “consistent attempt” by All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, including Alia and Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, to deploy “criminal acts against Obi” to remain in the good books of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It demanded “an immediate end to the threats, the highway thuggery, and the orchestrated machinery meant to frustrate” their principal.
The Benue State government had denied having prior knowledge of the visit of the NDC presidential candidate.
A statement released on Tuesday by Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, rejected Obi’s claims, describing them as “lies” aimed at tarnishing the image of his principal.
According to the statement: “The allegations are unfounded and desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about”.
Kula said Obi was not a threat to Alia, adding that even if he visited the State, security agencies were available to handle any security concern.
He described Alia as “a peace-loving Reverend gentleman” who is averse to thuggery and does not “engage, patronise, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security”
.Kula also accused Obi of failing to follow the required security protocol by visiting the State without formally informing the relevant authorities.
Said he: “It is therefore curious that an individual presenting himself as a presidential candidate could arrive in a State without the relevant security authorities being formally informed of his movement.
Kula added that such a visit would require security coordination involving the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies.
The CPS said the government was also finding it difficult to understand Obi’s decision to link the incident to Alia.
He noted: “We really find it difficult to understand the basis for Mr. Obi’s attempt to connect every fabrication with the Benue State Government, and Governor Hyacinth Alia in the first instance.
“The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists.
“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace”.
