By Emmanuel Antswen
The Police have said they are investigating why some youths blocked the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State on Tuesday.
Benue Police Commissioner, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, said this while confirming the blockade of the NDC presidential candidate who was on his way to the Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of the State.
Nwadiogbu said the police had provided security for Obi’s movement to Yelwata where he was expected to visit communities affected by the June 13, 2025, deadly attack.
He said the police were informed that Obi’s visit was not for political campaign, but to visit some people and commiserate with victims of the attack.
“Everybody has freedom of movement in Nigeria, so I provided security. I also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to personally lead the men,” he said.
The commissioner, however, said that upon Obi’s arrival, the police received information that youths had blocked the road and prevented him from proceeding to Yelwata.
“Unfortunately, upon his arrival, we heard that the youths blocked the road and said they did not want to see him,” he said.
Nwadiogbu said the command had managed the situation but would not ignore the incident, adding that investigations would determine why the youths acted as they did.
“We must get to the bottom of it and know why the youths said somebody cannot move freely,” he said.
He said after being prevented from proceeding to his destination, Obi later left the state.
The commissioner said the command was also investigating circumstances surrounding the blockade and possible destruction during the incident.
Nwadiogbu promised to provide the findings of the investigation.
Recall that Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia had earlier dismissed claim by Obi that those who blocked him from accessing Yelwata were thugs working for the state government.
The spokesperson for Governor Alia, Mr Tersoo Kula, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Makurdi described Obi’s allegation as a desperate attempt to drag the governor and the Benue Government into what could be an internal political matter within the NDC.
Kula also said the state government had no knowledge of the alleged incident and questioned whether Obi actually visited Makurdi, citing what he described as his antecedents of making untrue claims against the state.
He urged Obi to resolve any disagreement or internal political challenge within the NDC rather than attributing such issues to the state government.
“The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists,” Kula said.
He said the government’s attention remained focused on good governance, strengthening security and improving the welfare of Benue residents.
Kula urged the public to disregard allegations linking the state government to any incident involving Obi.
“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace,” he said.
(NAN)
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