By Our Reporter I Tuesday, Sept 08, 2026
ABUJA — Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, was on Tuesday morning intercepted and blocked by political thugs while traveling to extend condolences to victims of the recent Yelwata massacre in Benue State.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after Obi attended the opening of the national campaign office of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja.
His attendance at the opposition event was aimed at promoting cross-party civility, political tolerance, and mutual respect within Nigeria’s democratic space.
Obi, who arrived in Benue at approximately 9:00 a.m., was forced to halt his trip after his convoy was swarmed by a hostile crowd chanting anti-Obi slogans, preventing further movement toward the impacted community.
”Politics Must Not Trample Human Compassion”
Addressing the encounter shortly after his convoy was turned back, Obi expressed deep concern over the growing trend of political hostility targeting genuine humanitarian efforts.
”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.
That a mission intended purely to show solidarity, compassion, and support could be obstructed in this manner is deeply alarming.”
Obi reiterated that during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, he maintained a strict standard of hospitality and security for visiting opposition figures, provided they operated within the boundaries of the law.
National Security and the Primacy of Human Life
The thwarted visit comes in the wake of severe security breaches in Benue State, where violent attacks on agricultural communities like Yelwata have claimed over 270 lives.
Reflecting on the ongoing insecurity across the North-Central region, Obi urged leaders and political actors to unite around human protection rather than partisan disputes.
Security Imperative: “The people of Benue—and all Nigerians—deserve to sleep without fear, travel without fear, and cultivate their land without fear.”
Duty of Governance: “Above all, they deserve a country where the state places the protection of human life far above political expediency.”
Continued Support: “Although we were unable to reach the community today, our thoughts and prayers remain steadfastly with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community.”
Benue State, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” has suffered recurring waves of deadly violent attacks on agrarian farming communities. The recent tragedy in Yelwata, which resulted in the loss of more than 270 lives, represents one of the most fatal escalations in the region’s recent history, drawing widespread condemnation from local and international observers.
Political tensions in the state have simultaneously intensified, with key opposition figures and civil society leaders calling for immediate structural reforms in rural policing, enhanced intelligence deployment, and greater protection for vulnerable communities along critical farming corridors.
Obi concluded his statement reaffirming his commitment to a secure Nigeria, stating, “We shall continue to work until the primary responsibility of government—the safeguarding of every Nigerian life—is restored.”
