Peter Obi’s convoy reportedly blocked in Benue as Yelwata visit aborted

The convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was reportedly attacked by suspected thugs on Tuesday while travelling along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway in Benue State.

The incident reportedly prevented Obi from reaching Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where he was scheduled to sympathise with victims of the June 13, 2025 terrorist attack on the community.

Obi had arrived in Makurdi, the state capital, earlier in the day and was travelling to Yelwata when the reported attack occurred.

In a statement, the Benue State NDC Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem Ordedoo, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) mobilised the attackers to prevent Obi from accessing the community.

“Thugs in their numbers mobilised in thousands and stopped the presidential candidate of NDC, Mr Peter Obi, from entering Yelwata to condole with victims and offer relief materials worth billions,” Ordedoo alleged.

However, the Benue State APC Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yaweh, denied the allegation, saying the party was not aware of any attack on Obi’s convoy.

Yaweh said if the incident occurred, it might have involved aggrieved supporters of the NDC rather than APC members, insisting that the party was committed to peace and did not engage in thuggery.

The NDC said Obi had planned to visit victims of the 2025 attack and present relief materials to affected residents. The attack, which occurred on June 13, 2025, claimed scores of lives and displaced residents.