*Obi Did Not Notify Us Of Visit, Says Benue Government
*’Every Nigerian, Presidential Candidate Or Otherwise, Has Constitutionally Guaranteed Right To Enter, Live, Move Freely Within Any State In Nigeria To Conduct Legitimate Activities Without Prior Permission Or Notice’
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, today (Wednesday) took aim at the federally-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of desperation to silence the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He was reacting to yesterday’s blockade of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State by thugs said to be loyal to the State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
The thugs had prevented Obi and his entourage from entering Makurdi, the State capital, sparking reactions from both politicians’ camps as well as controversy among Nigerians on social media.
Roundly condemning the incident, Gov. Makinde said that APC is overburdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, the governor said APC resorted to barbaric tactics like intimidation, harassment and unlawful obstruction of the legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders because of its failure to market Tinubu to Nigerians.
Speaking on the blocking of Obi’s entourage, the Benue State government said it was not notified about the visit.
Makinde’s statement read: “We strongly condemn the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
“The incident, in which Mr. Obi’s convoy was obstructed by a group of suspected state-sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable.
“It marks a new low in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is particularly worrisome that this targeted attack came barely 24 hours after Mr. Peter Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with our principal, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7, 2026.
“Expectedly, the ruling APC—overburdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Tinubu to Nigerians—is rattled by recent political developments, leading them to resort to barbaric tactics, including intimidation, harassment, and the unlawful obstruction of the legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders.
“Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the freedom to move throughout the country and reside in any part thereof. Similarly, Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely assemble and associate.”
The statement insisted that claims by the Benue State government that Obi did not seek prior permission from the state government before his visit, were completely unacceptable and condemnable.
“Let us make it clear: every Nigerian, presidential candidate or otherwise, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct legitimate activities without prior permission or notice.
“Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy.
“We demand that the Nigerian Police immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book in the interest of our democracy.
“As a campaign, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process; however, we state clearly that we shall not be deterred or cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Makinde (r) and Obi (m) at a recent event.
