. Protesters chant ‘we don’t want Peter Obi!’
. NDC presidential candidate accuses
Benue govt official of mobilising thugs against him
. Police wade in, launch investigation
Tension gripped Benue State on Tuesday after suspected thugs allegedly blocked a major road as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, arrived in the state.
The thugs prevented Obi from proceeding in the state by barricading Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital.
The protesters, chanting “We don’t want Peter Obi,” blocked the road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport for hours, disrupting traffic as Obi’s convoy was held back.
In a separate video shared by Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, some youths could be seen chasing the vehicles in the convoy in what she alleged was an attempt to attack the entourage.
It was not immediately clear who the individuals were or what prompted the incident.
But speaking at the scene in a video posted by News Central Television via its X page on Tuesday, Obi alleged he had travelled to Benue to condole with victims of killings in the state but was stopped on the orders of a government aide.
“I was told that youths, led by an SA (Special Assistant) to the government, have decided to block the road and make sure I don’t go there,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate described the blockade as unacceptable and accused those behind it of exploiting hungry, insecure youths for political ends.
“The rascality they are bringing into this country is totally unacceptable. People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to show that they are with them, and I came here all the way this morning, a long distance, only to be told what you are seeing here,” he said.
According to Obi, protesters had been mobilised without regard for the consequences.
“These youths are being used to do this. What they are doing now will take its revenge on them. They don’t know that. And unfortunately, somebody sits in office and allows this to happen,” he said.
He maintained that the blockade should not have occurred, adding that the affected youths were themselves victims of poverty and insecurity who deserved livelihood support rather than being deployed to obstruct his visit.
He said his itinerary had not been concealed from state authorities. “Everybody is aware I’m visiting this place today. It’s not a secret to them,” he said.
Meanwhile, police in Benue have confirmed that some youths blocked Obi’s convoy during his movement to Yelwata on Tuesday.
State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, confirmed the development.
Aondongu said police operatives provided security for Obi’s movement, adding that the command had launched an investigation into the incident.
The PPRO said, “We can confirm that the Police are aware of the incident involving Peter Obi’s movement to Yelwata. Police operatives provided security for the movement.
“The reason the convoy was blocked by some youths is still unknown. We are monitoring the situation and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Further updates will be provided accordingly.”
