…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
TUE SEPT 08 2026-theGBJournal| Peter Obi-Yesterday, I attended the opening of the national campaign office of an opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde in Abuja.
My presence was intended to demonstrate that politics can and should be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility.
As Governor of Anambra State, I made it a point during electioneering to welcome visiting opposition members personally, provided they acted within the ambits of the law.
Guided by that same commitment to decency over partisanship, I travelled to Benue this morning, arriving at approximately 9:00 a.m. on a purely humanitarian mission: to visit the grieving families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata, where over 270 people were massacred.
Regrettably, our convoy was prevented from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.” 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. That a mission intended purely to show solidarity, compassion, and support could be obstructed in this manner is deeply alarming.
At a time when our nation should be united in grief and resolute in preventing further bloodshed, we must reject any action capable of deepening our divisions. The people of Benue – and all Nigerians – deserve to sleep without fear.
They deserve to travel without fear. They deserve to cultivate their land without fear. Above all, they deserve a country where the state places the protection of human life far above political expediency.
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.
We shall continue to work until the primary responsibility of government – the safeguarding of every Nigerian life – is restored. Until then, we cannot truly say we have built the nation our people deserve.
Meanwhile, prominent Nigerian politicians are speaking out against the dastardly act, while laying blame on Governor Hyacinth Alia and the President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
What they said:
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Running mate at NDC- am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State.
The deliberate mobilisation of unruly elements to block and attack his convoy and prevent him from entering Makurdi marks another dark day for our democracy.
Authorities must remember that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement. This right applies even more strongly to Mr Obi, a former governor and leading opposition figure.
The Benue State Government must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and prosecuted. It must also guarantee the safety and free movement of our candidate and his entourage.
I further urge the President to caution state governors, particularly those in his party against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy.
I also call on the international community, including diplomatic missions and election observation groups, to take note of this incident and to urge Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law, protect opposition leaders, and safeguard democratic freedoms.
Omoyele Sowore, Presidential candidate if the African Action Congress (AAC), said, I have watched videos showing what appears to be a state-sponsored blockade and attack on NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi as he attempted to enter the state capital to carry out legitimate campaign activities.
I strongly condemn these acts of political brigandage by agents of the state government and the Tinubu regime. This is totally unacceptable.
No candidate should be prevented through violence, intimidation or state-sponsored thuggery from campaigning freely anywhere in Nigeria. Those behind these cowardly attacks are toying with fire and threatening the democratic rights of all Nigerians.
They must desist immediately before it is too late.
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