Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi on Monday denounced the disruption of his visit to Benue State after protesters blocked a major road and ordered him to leave.
Obi said he was travelling to the Yelewata community in Guma local government area to console families of victims of recent killings when his convoy was stopped near the Air Force base on Gboko Road in Makurdi.
Protesters chanted “We don’t want Peter Obi” and demanded that he leave the state, according to the politician.
“I arrived here around 9am and was going to the Yelewata community to condole with families that have been affected by the killings. Over 270 people have been killed in that community,” Obi said.
He described the incident as “ridiculous and very, very worrisome” and said he chose to remain calm to avoid any escalation that could endanger lives.
“I wanted to remain civil because I don’t want any confusion and I don’t want anybody’s life to be endangered,” he added.
Obi called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to ensure that political differences do not lead to restrictions on citizens’ freedom of movement.
“This rascality cannot be allowed. We have a country,” he stated.
The former governor stressed the need for greater unity, love and justice in Nigeria, urging political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections to focus on insecurity, kidnapping, hunger, killings and poverty rather than hostility between politicians.
He said he would continue visiting communities across the country to engage directly with affected residents and encouraged other presidential aspirants to do the same.
