The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, was on Tuesday prevented from proceeding with his visit to Makurdi, Benue State, after protesters blocked the road along Gboko Road.
The protesters reportedly barricaded the road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, chanting, “We don’t want Peter Obi,” as his convoy was held up for several hours.
Obi, who spoke in a video shared by News Central Television on X, said he had travelled to the state to sympathise with victims of recent killings but was stopped from reaching his destination.
According to him, he was informed that youths had been mobilised to prevent him from accessing the area.
“I was told that youths, led by an SA to the government, have decided to block the road and make sure I don’t go there,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor condemned the development, describing it as unacceptable and accusing those behind the protest of exploiting young people for political purposes.
“The rascality they are bringing into this country is totally unacceptable. People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to show that they are with them, and I came here all the way this morning, a long distance, only to be told what you are seeing here,” he said.
Obi also argued that the youths involved in the protest were themselves victims of poverty and insecurity and should not be deployed to obstruct his movement.
“These youths are being used to do this. What they are doing now will take its revenge on them. They don’t know that. And unfortunately, somebody sits in office and allows this to happen,” he added.
He further maintained that his visit to Benue was known to the relevant authorities and was not a secret.
“Everybody is aware I’m visiting this place today. It’s not a secret to them,” Obi said.
