Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), was prevented from reaching families affected by the deadly killings in Yelwata, Benue State, during a planned humanitarian visit on Tuesday.
Obi said suspected thugs blocked his convoy from proceeding to Yelwata, where he had planned to commiserate with bereaved families, listen to their experiences and offer support following the loss of their loved ones. He said he arrived in Benue at about 9:00 a.m., but his convoy was stopped from proceeding to the community by individuals who chanted, “Peter Obi, go back.”
The former Anambra State governor expressed disappointment over the incident, emphasising that the visit was not a political campaign but a mission of mourning and solidarity. He described the development as particularly disturbing at a time when Nigerians should be united in grief and focused on preventing further bloodshed.
“The people of Benue—and all Nigerians—deserve to sleep without fear. They deserve to travel without fear. They deserve to cultivate their land without fear,” Obi said.
He called on the government to prioritise the protection of human lives, arguing that political considerations must not override the safety and security of citizens.
Contrast with Political Civility
Obi also referenced his attendance on Monday at the opening of the national campaign office of Oyo State Governor and opposition presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja. He said his presence at the event was intended to demonstrate that political activities could take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility. As governor of Anambra State, Obi noted that he had personally welcomed visiting opposition members during campaigns, provided their activities remained within the law.
Background: April 2025 Incident
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of an earlier dispute over Obi’s planned humanitarian visit to Benue State in April 2025. Obi had planned to visit the state after travelling to Plateau State on April 13, 2025, with the intention of visiting internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and offering support to displaced communities.
While travelling from Jos and reaching Akwanga at about 10:00 a.m., the Benue State Government, under Governor Hyacinth Alia, issued a public statement warning against unapproved high-profile visits to the state. The statement said the governor was not expecting any such visitor and could not guarantee the safety of individuals who entered the state without prior approval. It also required anyone intending to visit IDP camps to obtain written permission from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
Obi’s security team received the statement, while the governor’s aide-de-camp also reportedly forwarded it to him. The planned visit was subsequently called off, with Obi later publicly describing the development as the state government blocking his humanitarian trip.
The April 2025 episode has since been cited in reports and by Obi’s supporters as the first occasion on which he was prevented from carrying out a planned visit in Benue. The September 8, 2026 incident involving the alleged obstruction near Yelwata is therefore being described by multiple reports as the second such occasion.
Obi Proceeds to Plateau
Following the obstruction in Benue, Obi later travelled to Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he reached out to and donated to more than 500 internally displaced persons who had lost their homes in bandit attacks.
Supporters following the development said the communities affected by the Benue violence were the ultimate losers, as they had been expecting a humanitarian visit and support. Commentators also expressed concern that the reported obstruction could become a recurring feature of future political visits and campaign tours if left unchecked.
