By Salisu Ibrahim 
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alleged that its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi has been prevented from visiting Benue State by hired thugs.
A statement by Peter Obi Media Office, signed by Idris Zekeri, said alleged hired thugs reportedly prevented Peter Obi’s entry into Benue State.
“The group, reportedly led by an aide to the state governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, was armed with dangerous weapons and blocked Obi’s movement into the village where hundreds of people lost their lives.
On Tuesday, “Obi posted on his X handle, “I arrived in Benue this morning at about 9 a.m. with the intention of visiting the victims and families affected by the horrific killings in Yelwata, where over 270 people were reportedly massacred. Unfortunately, we were stopped from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, “Peter Obi, go back,” the statement added.
“At a time when our nation should be united in grief and committed to preventing further loss of life, we must avoid actions that deepen divisions. Benue and the Nigerian people deserve to sleep peacefully, travel safely, and farm their lands without fear, it said.
The people deserve to live in a country where the government prioritises the protection of human life above every political consideration. Although we could not reach the community today, our hearts and prayers remain with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community. We will persist until we restore the fundamental responsibility of government: the protection of every Nigerian’s life. Until then, we cannot truly say that we have built the Nigeria we deserve.
I came to Benue not for politics but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer our solidarity during a moment of unimaginable pain, Obi said.
NDC Condemns Blockade Of Peter Obi’s Benue Visit, Demands Investigation
Meanwhile, NDC has demanded an investigation into the blockade of its presidential candidate, insisting that those behind the incident must be held accountable.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Tuesday, described the incident as disturbing, saying Obi’s visit was humanitarian and not politically motivated.
According to him, the people of Benue, as well as Nigerians deserved to live in peace, stressing that protecting lives should be the government’s primary responsibility.
“Although access to the community was denied today, the hearts and prayers of the NDC and our Presidential Candidate remain with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community.
“We will not be deterred. The NDC will persist until we restore the fundamental responsibility of government: the protection of every Nigerian’s life”, he said.
The NDC therefore, called on the Benue state government and security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found responsible.
The Benue State Government however, said it was not aware of Obi’s planned visit to the state, but the Benue State Police Command gave a different account, saying it was aware of the planned movement to Yelwata and had deployed officers to provide security for Obi’s convoy.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the reason the convoy was blocked was still unclear.