Minister of Aviation and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Festus Keyamo, has strongly criticized the blockade of National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by angry youths in Benue State on Tuesday, describing the incident as “unacceptable and contrary to democratic values.”
Obi, who was in Benue for his 2027 presidential campaign and to visit Yelewata community to commiserate with victims of the June 2025 attacks, was prevented from proceeding when his convoy encountered a roadblock on the Makurdi–Gboko federal highway. The blockade caused traffic congestion, with police reportedly slow to disperse the crowd.
Reacting to the incident, Obi lamented the obstruction, urging Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools of political manipulation. He described the experience as “worrisome and ridiculous,” stressing that campaigns should be conducted freely without intimidation. Obi appealed to security agencies to intervene, warning that such “rascality” undermines national unity and the democratic process.
Keyamo, in a statement via his official X handle, condemned the incident outright. He noted that regardless of whether the protest stemmed from internal NDC disputes or rival party interference, it should not be tolerated in a democracy. “Everyone should be allowed to move freely and play their politics without crude interference,” he said.
The Minister also criticized what he described as partisan reporting by sections of the media, accusing them of spinning similar incidents differently depending on the party involved. “When APC candidates are confronted by angry crowds, the press calls it ‘rejection.’ When opposition candidates face hostility, it is reported as ‘attack by thugs.’ This double standard is unacceptable,” Keyamo stated. He urged the press to remain fair and objective, emphasizing that political grievances should be expressed at the ballot box, not through violence.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government denied involvement in the blockade. In a statement by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the government dismissed Obi’s claims as unfounded and suggested the incident may have been an internal NDC matter. The statement insisted that the administration does not “engage, patronize, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security,” reaffirming its commitment to peace and the rule of law.
