Former Anambra State Governor and opposition presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused suspected hired thugs of obstructing his visit to Yelwata in Benue State, where he intended to commiserate with families affected by the recent killings in the community.
Obi said he arrived in Benue at about 9 a.m. yesterday on what he described as a purely humanitarian mission to visit families affected by the massacre in Yelwata, where more than 270 people were reportedly killed.
According to him, his convoy was stopped from proceeding to the community by a group of thugs chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.”
Obi described the incident as distressing, saying he had travelled to the state not for partisan political activities but to mourn with victims’ families, listen to those who lost loved ones and offer solidarity at a time of profound grief.
The development came a day after Obi attended the opening of the national campaign office of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, an opposition presidential candidate, in Abuja.
Obi said his presence at the event was intended to demonstrate that political activities could be conducted with mutual respect and civility.
He recalled that while serving as governor of Anambra State, he personally welcomed visiting opposition politicians during election campaigns, provided they operated within the law.
He said the same principle of decency over partisanship informed his decision to visit Yelwata.
“It was deeply distressing to witness such hostility. 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.
He condemned the obstruction of the visit, warning that actions capable of deepening political and social divisions should be rejected, particularly at a time when Nigerians should be united against violence and insecurity.
According to him, the people of Benue and Nigerians across the country deserve to live, travel and farm without fear.
He stressed that the primary responsibility of government was to protect human life, arguing that such responsibility should take precedence over political considerations.
Although his delegation was unable to reach Yelwata, Obi said his thoughts and prayers remained with the victims, their families and the entire community.
“We shall continue to work until the primary responsibility of government—the safeguarding of every Nigerian life—is restored,” he said.
Obi’s allegation comes amid growing concerns over political intolerance and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders increasingly calling for restraint and respect for citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement, association and participation in the democratic process.
He maintained that Nigeria could not claim to have achieved meaningful nation-building until citizens could live, travel and pursue their livelihoods without fear of violence.
