NDC Demands Probe Into Obi’s Benue Convoy Blockade

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has called for an investigation into the reported blockade of the convoy of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State on Tuesday, urging the state government and security agencies to identify those responsible and take appropriate action.

The party made the demand in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, following the disruption of Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata community.

Obi had travelled to Benue to meet families affected by the deadly attack in Yelwata in June 2025, in which more than 270 people were reportedly killed. The NDC described the planned visit as a humanitarian trip intended to sympathise with the victims and their relatives.

The party expressed concern over the reported obstruction, saying the visit was not connected to political campaigning or any partisan activity.

The development has also led to different accounts from the NDC, the Benue State Government and the police over whether the relevant authorities were properly informed about Obi’s movement before he arrived in the state.

According to the NDC, preventing Obi from reaching the community did not change the party’s concern for the victims and their families. The party said it remained committed to supporting affected communities and would continue to call for the protection of lives across the country.

The opposition party urged the Benue State Government and security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found to have been responsible is dealt with according to the law.

The demand followed Obi’s earlier account that individuals described as hired thugs had stopped his convoy while he was attempting to reach Yelwata.

Obi had said his reason for travelling to Benue was humanitarian and aimed at showing support to families who lost loved ones in the 2025 attack.

His visit came a day after he attended the opening of the national campaign office of Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Abuja. Obi’s participation at the event was presented as part of his call for political cooperation and civility among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the Benue State Government said it had no prior knowledge of Obi’s planned visit to the state.

The position of the state government differed from that of the Benue State Police Command, which said it was aware of the planned movement to Yelwata.

The police said its officers were deployed to provide security for Obi’s movement during the visit. However, the command said it was still unclear why the convoy was stopped or what led to the obstruction.

The conflicting accounts have added to the controversy surrounding the incident, with questions remaining about who organised the blockade, why the convoy was stopped and whether the people involved had any official backing.

The NDC has therefore called for a proper investigation to establish what happened and determine whether anyone violated the law.

The party also urged authorities to ensure that political differences do not prevent citizens or public figures from visiting communities affected by violence to express sympathy and support.

The incident has continued to attract attention as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections increase, with Obi and other opposition figures making moves to strengthen their political alliances and engage with communities across the country.