Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was on Tuesday prevented from proceeding with his visit to Benue State after protesters barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital.
The protesters, who chanted “We don’t want Peter Obi”, reportedly blocked the road around the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport for several hours, disrupting traffic and leaving Obi’s convoy stranded.
Obi said he had travelled to Benue to commiserate with victims of the recent killings in the state but was prevented from proceeding after the road was blocked.
Speaking in a video shared by News Central Television on X, the former Anambra State governor alleged that the protesters were led by a Special Assistant to the state government.
“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,” Obi said.
He condemned the development, describing the blockade as unacceptable and accusing political actors of exploiting vulnerable youths for political purposes.
“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.
Obi argued that the youths involved in the protest were themselves victims of poverty and insecurity and should be receiving support to improve their livelihoods rather than being mobilised to obstruct his movement.
“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.
The NDC candidate maintained that the protest was unnecessary, insisting that state authorities were aware of his planned visit.
“Everybody is aware I’m visiting this place today. It’s not a secret to them,” Obi said.
The incident disrupted Obi’s planned movement in Makurdi as protesters remained on the road, preventing his convoy from proceeding to the area he intended to visit.
