Makinde speaks out against disruption of Obi's visit to Benue, says APC is pushing an unpopular candidate

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has condemned the disruption of Peter Obi's visit to Benue State. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to silence the opposition.

Mr Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, said the actions of suspected political thugs who blocked Mr Obi’s convoy showed that the APC is using intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections. He shared his concerns in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, on Wednesday.

“We strongly condemn the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

“The incident, where Mr. Obi’s convoy was blocked by suspected state-sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable. It marks a new low in the ruling APC’s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

On Tuesday, suspected political thugs disrupted Mr Obi’s visit to Benue State by blocking his convoy. One video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES shows Mr Obi’s convoy turning back as a group of men with stones, sticks, and other objects chased the vehicles.

The men also threw objects at the convoy as it tried to leave the area. Another video showed police officers positioned between the convoy and the group. However, the suspected thugs breached the police line and continued to pursue the vehicles. Eventually, the convoy turned back and left the area.

The NDC and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, condemned the incident. The NDC called the action shameful for Nigeria’s democracy, while Mr Sowore said the videos he saw suggested that the Benue State Government sponsored the blockage and attack on Mr Obi.

Mr Makinde said it is worrying that this incident occurred just a day after Mr Obi attended the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday. He alleged that the APC is worried about losing the 2027 presidential election, leading them to use what he called barbaric tactics.

“It is particularly worrisome that this targeted attack came barely 24 hours after Mr. Peter Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with our principal, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7, 2026.

“Expectedly, the ruling APC, burdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Tinubu to Nigerians, is rattled by recent political developments, leading them to resort to barbaric tactics, including intimidation, harassment, and the unlawful obstruction of the legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders,” he said.

Mr Makinde mentioned that the incident goes against the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and association.

“Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the freedom to move throughout the country and reside in any part thereof. Similarly, Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely assemble and associate.

“We find the statement from the Benue State Government that the NDC Presidential Candidate did not seek prior permission from the state government before his visit completely unacceptable and condemnable.

“Let us make it clear: Every Nigerian, presidential candidate or not, has a constitutional right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct legitimate activities without prior permission or notice. Setting up roadblocks and using thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy,” he stated.

Mr Makinde called on the police to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found guilty.

“We demand that the Nigerian Police start a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to justice in the interest of our democracy.

“As a campaign, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process; however, we will not be deterred or intimidated by those who try to make peaceful participation impossible,” he said.