Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - Peter Obi was blocked from gaining access into Benue State amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to posts circulating on X on Tuesday, September 8,
the NDC presidential candidate’s photographer, Esther Umoh claimed that she and
others had just arrived in Benue when they encountered what she described as
“alleged sponsored thugs” blocking Boko Road near the Air Force Base. She
alleged that the obstruction was aimed at preventing Obi from entering the
state.
In a subsequent post, Umoh wrote that Obi wanted to proceed
but “security personnels are not allowing him to.” Another social-media user
expressed support for Obi forcing his way through the alleged blockade, writing
that he would be happy if Obi “forces his way through,” adding that “nobody has
a monopoly of madness.”
The incident is politically significant because Benue State
is governed by Hyacinth Alia, a former Catholic priest who became governor
after winning the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the All
Progressives Congress (APC). Alia was sworn into office on May 29, 2023
Before entering politics, Alia was an ordained Catholic
priest. In April 2025, Alia cautioned Peter Obi against visiting Benue for a
humanitarian outreach, saying that visits without the required approval and
security arrangements could not be guaranteed safe. The dispute followed Obi's
planned visit to support internally displaced persons in the state.
More notably, in July 2025, the Benue government issued
another warning concerning visits by high-profile individuals. A notice signed
by Alia's Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, stated that the governor was not
expecting any “August visitor” and warned that groups or high-profile
individuals seeking to enter the state for visits that could attract political
gatherings should reconsider because their safety could not be guaranteed. The
warning was subsequently reported as part of criticism directed at Alia over
his stance toward Obi.
Watch the video below
Goons attack PETER OBI’s convoy, block him from entering Benue State pic.twitter.com/ymZlB4bFi4
— DAILY POST 🇳🇬 (@dailypost_ng) September 9, 2026
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