Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported obstruction and attack involving the convoy of former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State.
Obi’s convoy was reportedly stopped on Tuesday along the Gboko–Makurdi road while he was travelling to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of the state. Reports said the incident occurred amid heightened political tensions surrounding Obi’s visit.
Reacting to the development, Keyamo described the action as unacceptable and said the obstruction of a political figure’s movement should not be encouraged, regardless of political affiliation.
The minister’s intervention is significant because the incident has renewed concerns about political tolerance, freedom of movement and security during the build-up to the 2027 general elections. Any disruption involving the convoy of a major political figure could also raise questions about the ability of security agencies and political authorities to prevent clashes and protect citizens.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have generated competing accounts. Reports indicate that questions had earlier been raised over communication between Obi’s team, the police and the Benue State Government concerning the visit. The Benue police commissioner, Cletus Nwadiogbu, was subsequently reported to have clarified that he was not asked to transmit a notification letter to Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The development comes as Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), continues political engagements ahead of the 2027 election. His visits to states have increasingly attracted public and political attention as parties prepare for the next electoral cycle.
The Benue incident therefore underscores the importance of ensuring that political activities are conducted peacefully and that disagreements over protocols or political differences do not result in confrontation.
Security agencies are expected to maintain public order while protecting the rights of political actors and citizens to move and participate in lawful political activities.
