Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, has narrated how his convoy was allegedly obstructed by thugs during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.

Obi said he travelled to the State on a humanitarian mission to visit families affected by the deadly attack on Yelwata community, where more than 270 people were reportedly killed by terrorists.

Obi said he arrived in Benue at about 9:00 a.m. but could not proceed to the community after his convoy was confronted by individuals chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.”

In a statement posted on his verified X on Tuesday, the former Anambra governor said the incident was distressing because his visit was not connected to partisan politics.

According to him, the decision to travel to Benue followed his participation the previous day in the opening of the national campaign office of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, describing both occasions as opportunities to demonstrate that political differences should not prevent Nigerians from showing mutual respect and solidarity.

“Yesterday, I attended the opening of the national campaign office of an opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde in Abuja,” Obi said.

“My presence was intended to demonstrate that politics can and should be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility.”

His experience as governor of Anambra State he added had also shaped his approach to political engagements, noting that he personally welcomed visiting opposition politicians during electioneering whenever they operated within the law.

“Guided by that same commitment to decency over partisanship, I travelled to Benue this morning, arriving at approximately 9:00 a.m. on a purely humanitarian mission,” he said.

He said that the purpose of the visit was to commiserate with families who lost loved ones in the Yelwata massacre.

“Regrettably, our convoy was prevented from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, ‘Peter Obi, go back.’ It was deeply distressing to witness such hostility,” he said.

“I came to Benue not for partisan politics, but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer comfort at a moment of unimaginable sorrow.”

He described the alleged obstruction as “deeply alarming”, arguing that humanitarian gestures should not become victims of political divisions.

“That a mission intended purely to show solidarity, compassion, and support could be obstructed in this manner is deeply alarming,” he said.

He called for greater unity and an end to actions capable of further deepening divisions in the country, particularly amid persistent security concerns.

“At a time when our nation should be united in grief and resolute in preventing further bloodshed, we must reject any action capable of deepening our divisions,” Obi said.

He said Nigerians should be able to go about their daily activities without fear, stressing that the protection of lives must remain the government’s foremost responsibility.

“The people of Benue – and all Nigerians – deserve to sleep without fear. They deserve to travel without fear. They deserve to cultivate their land without fear,” he said.

“Above all, they deserve a country where the state places the protection of human life far above political expediency.”

He said although he was unable to reach Yelwata during the visit, his thoughts remained with the victims and their families.

“Although we were unable to reach the community today, our thoughts and prayers remain steadfastly with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community,” he said.

He vowed to continue advocating for the protection of Nigerians, arguing that the restoration of security remained fundamental to building the country citizens deserve.

“We shall continue to work until the primary responsibility of government – the safeguarding of every Nigerian life – is restored. Until then, we cannot truly say we have built the nation our people deserve,” he noted.

Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 elections