‘We Must Reject Actions That Deepen Our Divisions' — Peter Obi says After Attack on Convoy in Benue

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the disruption of his visit to Benue State, saying Nigerians must reject actions capable of deepening the country's divisions. Obi said his convoy was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata on Tuesday by suspected thugs who chanted 'Peter Obi, go back' as they confronted the delegation along the Gboko Road in Makurdi. The former Anambra State governor said he arrived in Benue at about 9 a.m. on what he described as a purely humanitarian mission to visit families affected by the 2025 Yelwata killings, in which more than 270 people were reportedly massacred. 'I came to Benue not for partisan politics, but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer comfort at a moment of unimaginable sorrow,' Obi said in a statement. He described the disruption as 'deeply alarming', arguing that a humanitarian visit should not have been obstructed by political hostility. 'At a time when our nation should be united in grief and resolute in preventing further bloodshed, we must reject any action capable of deepening our divisions,' he said. Obi also linked the incident to the broader security crisis in Benue, saying residents should be able to live, travel and farm without fear. 'The people of Benue — and all Nigerians — deserve to sleep without fear. They deserve to travel without fear. They deserve to cultivate their land without fear,' he said. According to reports, Obi's convoy was stopped near the Air Force Base in Makurdi by a group of men carrying sticks, clubs and stones. Videos from the scene showed the convoy turning back as the men pursued the vehicles, while police officers attempted to separate the groups. The NDC governorship candidate in Benue, Terhemba Shija, alleged that the attackers were sponsored by the state government. The allegation has not been independently verified while the police had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of reporting. Earlier Disruption of Obi's Benue Trip The confrontation marks the second reported disruption of Obi's planned visit to Benue. In April 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia stopped Obi from visiting internally displaced persons in the state, citing security and protocol concerns. Alia had said high-profile visitors were expected to notify the state government and obtain the necessary approvals before visiting IDP camps. The governor denied that the decision was politically motivated, saying his priority was the safety of displaced persons and visitors. Tuesday's incident comes amid renewed attacks in several Benue communities, including parts of Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum local government areas. Obi said although he could not reach Yelwata, his solidarity with the victims remained unchanged. 'Our thoughts and prayers remain steadfastly with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community,' he said. He added that the country could not claim to have built the Nigeria its citizens deserve until government restored the protection of human life as its primary responsibility.