Makinde condemns blockade of Obi from Benue State

• Calls it desperation to silence opposition

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde has condemned, in strong term, the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.

The attack, Makinde pointed out, confirmed the All Progressives Congress, APC’s desperation to silence opposition ahead of next year’s general election.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser (Media and Digital Communication) to the presidential candidate of APM, Anthony Ehilebo in Abuja.

Makinde, who is also the Governor of Oyo State, said that he finds the statement credited to 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.

Every Nigerian, presidential candidate or otherwise, he declared has a constitutionally guaranteed 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 engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates, he stressed, has no place in a constitutional democracy.

Makinde therefore demanded that the Nigerian Police immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book in the interest of our democracy.

The APM statement reads, “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, in which Mr. Obi’s convoy was obstructed by a group of suspected state-sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable.

“It marks a new low in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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—overburdened 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.

“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 therefore find the statement credited to 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 otherwise, has a constitutionally guaranteed 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 engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy.

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

“As a campaign, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process; however, we state clearly that we shall not be deterred or cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible”, the statement concluded.