The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, during his planned visit to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Obi had reportedly travelled to the community to sympathise with families affected by the deadly attack of June 2025, but his convoy was stopped by a group of youths who prevented him from proceeding to the community.
The incident has sparked political controversy, with Obi and his party alleging that the youths were sponsored, while the Benue State Government denied any involvement and said it was not aware of the visit.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed that it knew about Obi’s movement and had provided security for the visit, but said it was investigating why the youths blocked his convoy.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Keyamo said the incident was unacceptable regardless of the political affiliation of those responsible.
He said, “The prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill.”
The minister argued that even if the protest was linked to internal disagreements within the NDC, or was allegedly sponsored by a rival political party, such conduct should have no place in a democracy.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” Keyamo stated.
He also rejected the suggestion that Obi’s visit to Yelwata could have been politically motivated, saying such a motive would not justify restricting his movement.
According to him, politicians should be free to visit communities and conduct political activities without intimidation, provided they operate within the law.
Keyamo, however, used the incident to criticise what he described as partisan reporting of political confrontations by sections of the media.
He alleged that similar incidents involving ruling All Progressives Congress candidates were sometimes portrayed as evidence of public rejection, while confrontations involving opposition politicians were characterised as attacks by sponsored thugs.
“When an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate, the partisan Press often describes it as rejection by Nigerians. When it concerns the opposition, it becomes an attack by sponsored thugs or hoodlums,” he said.
The minister called on journalists and media organisations to apply the same standards when reporting political events, regardless of the party or candidate involved.
“The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all,” he added.
Keyamo further urged political actors and their supporters to express grievances through lawful democratic channels rather than violence.
He said citizens dissatisfied with any candidate should use the ballot box to express their preference during elections.
“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” Keyamo said.
The Yelwata attack in June 2025, which reportedly claimed more than 100 lives, remains one of the most devastating attacks recorded in Benue in recent years.
