The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused an aide to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of leading a group that obstructed his convoy during a visit to communities affected by recent attacks in the state.
Speaking during a telephone interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Obi said he travelled to Benue to sympathise with families who lost loved ones in recent terrorist attacks, insisting that the visit had no political motive.
According to him, his convoy was stopped by a crowd that blocked the road while he was on his way to meet families of more than 200 victims.
Obi alleged that the group was led by one of Governor Alia’s Special Advisers, describing those involved as “government-sponsored thugs.”
Videos aired by ARISE News showed a crowd, some carrying sticks, preventing Obi’s convoy from moving along the Gboko Road as he attempted to continue his journey.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that his mission was purely humanitarian and not connected to electioneering.
“I am in Benue not for a campaign. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives and console them, show solidarity with them. But you can see the level at which our politics has degenerated,” he said.
Obi further claimed that those who blocked his movement were acting on behalf of the state government, arguing that such actions reflected a worrying trend of preventing public figures from freely engaging with citizens.
He also expressed concern over the country’s security and economic challenges, saying political intolerance should not be allowed to worsen an already difficult situation for Nigerians.
Responding to the allegation, the Benue State Government dismissed Obi’s claims and denied having any role in the incident.
Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the government had no prior knowledge of Obi’s visit and rejected accusations that it sponsored anyone to stop the former presidential candidate.
“We are not aware whether he is in the state or not. If the Benue state government is to stop anybody, including Peter Obi, why would the Benue state government go and use thugs? Benue government doesn’t do that. I think it is just one of the lies they are trying to bring upon my principal,” Kula said.
Despite the incident, Obi urged Nigerians to embrace peaceful political engagement, stressing that differences in political affiliation should not result in intimidation or violence.
“We have no other country except this place, and we will build it on unity and love with a sense of doing the right thing,” he said.