Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has condemned the blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy during his visit to the state, describing the incident as wrong and inconsistent with democratic principles.
The former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has condemned the blockade of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, during his visit to the state.
Ortom described the incident as wrong and inconsistent with democratic principles, accusing the Benue State Government of involvement in the obstruction.
Obi’s convoy was blocked on Tuesday while he was travelling towards Yelewata community to sympathise with families affected by the deadly June 2025 attacks in the area.
The Benue State Police Command has since arrested 46 suspects in connection with the obstruction, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Speaking on the incident, Ortom said it was wrong to prevent Obi from visiting Benue State and sympathising with families who lost loved ones in the attacks.
“I condemn what happened yesterday; it is wrong not to allow Peter Obi to visit Benue and sympathise with those people whose people were killed. That was what he came here to do.
“It was wrong, and that is the kind of government that we have in Benue today. It is not the first time they have done it before,” Ortom said.
The former governor alleged that Governor Hyacinth Alia was involved in the incident, insisting that the state government could not deny responsibility.
“Alia himself, the governor of Benue State, is involved in this matter; he cannot deny that. I am not supporting Peter Obi, but it is wrong.
“Allow democracy, which is anchored on the rule of law, to prevail, not to stop other people so that you take advantage of what is happening,” he added.
Ortom’s comments followed reports that a group of youths blocked Obi’s movement along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, creating tension and preventing him from continuing his journey to Yelewata.
The Benue State Police Command said it was informed of Obi’s visit ahead of time and deployed security personnel, including three police escort vehicles led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police. The police said they avoided using force immediately to prevent an escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
The incident is the second reported disruption involving Obi’s planned visit to Benue State in recent times, following an earlier controversy surrounding his planned visit to internally displaced persons in April 2025.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has strongly denied involvement in the latest blockade.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Tersoo Kula, described allegations linking the state government to the obstruction as unfounded, insisting that the administration does not engage or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security.
The police said investigations were continuing and that additional suspects linked to the incident could be identified as the probe progresses.
The blockade has continued to generate reactions from political figures and public commentators, with growing calls for political tolerance, freedom of movement and respect for democratic principles ahead of the 2027 general election.
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