Human rights lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, has condemned the disruption of Peter Obi’s visit to Benue State, questioning the decision of youths who reportedly barricaded a major road to prevent the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from proceeding with his scheduled engagements.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 8, following Obi’s arrival in the state.
According to reports, suspected thugs and some youths allegedly blocked an access road around Gyado Villa along Gboko Road in Makurdi, preventing Obi’s convoy from proceeding to the locations listed on his itinerary.
The development reportedly caused a disruption to the former Anambra State governor’s movement as members of his entourage were forced to contend with the roadblock.
Ejimakor questions protesters
Reacting to the incident, Ejimakor criticised those behind the blockade and questioned why similar actions had not been directed at armed groups accused of carrying out attacks and killings in different parts of Benue State.
The lawyer expressed his concerns in a statement shared on his official X account, where he challenged the protesters to explain why they would target a political visitor while allegedly failing to confront violent groups responsible for insecurity in the state.
Ejimakor also alleged that Obi was being targeted because of his Igbo background, drawing a comparison between the development and historical ethnic and political tensions that contributed to Nigeria’s Civil War.
“These Benue protesters and thugs that barricaded and stopped Peter Obi from entering Benue, let me ask you: When will you barricade the terrorists that have been killing thousands in your state? Or is it only when it comes to the Igbo? This is how you messed yourselves up in the Civil War,” Ejimakor wrote.
His comments have added to the reactions surrounding the incident, with the disruption of Obi’s movement likely to fuel further debate about political tolerance, ethnic sentiments and the right of political figures to campaign and engage with residents across different parts of the country.
Obi’s visit disrupted
Peter Obi, who is seeking political support ahead of the 2027 general elections, was reportedly in Benue as part of his engagements with stakeholders and residents.
The road blockade occurred shortly after his arrival in Makurdi, creating an obstacle for his entourage as it attempted to proceed with the scheduled activities.
While Ejimakor described those responsible for the blockade as protesters and thugs, the exact identities, motives and affiliations of all those involved were not immediately established in the account.
The incident also comes against the backdrop of persistent security concerns in Benue State, where attacks by armed groups have continued to generate political and public debate.
Ejimakor’s reaction has therefore shifted attention from the immediate disruption of Obi’s movement to broader questions about insecurity, political expression and ethnic relations in the state.
Further details are expected to emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the road blockade and whether authorities will take action against those responsible.
