The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged blockade of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and bring those responsible to justice.
The party made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, who condemned the incident, saying it prevented Obi from accessing Yelwata community, where he had planned to visit families of victims of the massacre that reportedly claimed more than 270 lives in June 2025.
The incident has sparked conflicting accounts from the Benue State Government, the NDC and the police over whether the relevant authorities were informed ahead of Obi’s visit.
Director described the obstruction of what the party called a humanitarian visit as disturbing and condemnable, insisting that Obi’s mission was not politically motivated.
He said the people of Benue State and Nigerians at large deserved to live in peace, stressing that the protection of human life should remain the government’s foremost responsibility.
“Although access to the community was denied today, the hearts and prayers of the NDC and our Presidential Candidate remain with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community,” Director said.
“We will not be deterred. The NDC will persist until we restore the fundamental responsibility of government: the protection of every Nigerian’s life.”
The party subsequently urged the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found culpable.
“We call on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and guarantee the safety of all citizens and leaders who seek to show solidarity in times of grief,” Director added.
The development followed Obi’s claim that “hired thugs” obstructed his planned visit to Yelwata, where he intended to meet families of victims of the June 2025 massacre.
Obi said his visit to Benue was purely humanitarian. He noted that the trip came a day after he attended the opening of the national campaign office of another opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, in Abuja, an engagement he said demonstrated his commitment to political civility.
However, the Benue State Government maintained that it was unaware of Obi’s visit to the state.
The Benue State Police Command, meanwhile, confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s planned movement to Yelwata and that police operatives provided security for the convoy.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, however, said the reason the convoy was blocked remained unclear.
The incident has further heightened controversy over the circumstances surrounding the alleged blockade, with the NDC demanding a full investigation while the police say the motive behind the obstruction remains unknown.
