Peter Obi speaks on his decision to exit the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing political hostility and internal party tensions.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, was on Tuesday prevented from proceeding with his visit to parts of Benue State after protesters barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital.
The protesters, who chanted “We don’t want Peter Obi,” blocked the road around the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, leaving Obi’s convoy stranded for several hours and disrupting traffic in the area.
Speaking at the scene in a video posted by News Central Television on X, Obi said he had travelled to Benue to sympathise with victims of recent killings in the state but was prevented from reaching the affected communities.
Obi alleged that the protesters were mobilised by a government aide, claiming he was informed that youths led by a Special Assistant to the state government had blocked the road to stop him from accessing the area.
He described the development as unacceptable, accusing those behind the protest of exploiting young people facing poverty and insecurity for political purposes.
The former Anambra State governor said the youths should instead be given opportunities to improve their livelihoods rather than being used to obstruct his visit.
Obi also said the state authorities were aware of his planned visit and that he did not arrive in Benue secretly.
He expressed concern that while people were being killed in the state, his attempt to visit affected communities and offer condolences was disrupted.
Obi maintained that the blockade was unnecessary and warned that using young people for political activities could have consequences for them in the future.
The protest caused significant traffic disruption along the affected stretch of Gboko Road as Obi’s convoy remained held back by the demonstrators.
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