For the second time, Peter Obi, candidate of the NDC in next year's presidntial elections, was stopped from entering Makurdi the Benue State capital. Obi was enroute Yelwatta to show condolences to victims of the settlement who lost loved ones in last year's herdsmen attacks on the settlement which claimed more than two hundred lives. Obi had attempted to visit the area for the same reason earlier but had been stopped by the Alia administration on grounds that he had not sought permission from the administration to visit. Thugs suspected to be loyal to the Governor Hyacinth Alia faction of the Benue APC again earlier today stopped the NDC Presidential candidate from entering the Benue State capital. The youth, numbering more than a hundred, on learning that Shija had led a convoy to welcome the NDC candidate, had quickly mobilized and blocked the highway leading from the Makurdi Airport to the town using assorted heavy duty vehicles and other boulders to make the road impassable. The youth blocked the convoy of the Presidential candidate being led by Shija along with other chieftains of the party in the state including two Senatorial candidates, Conrad Utaan and Onjeh, of Zones B and C respectively. Security personnel stood helpless as the irate youth broke through their ranks, chanting "Obi, go back, Obi go back!" They pelted the convoy with assorted missiles including stones and sticks. NDC leaders including Obi, Shija, Onjeh and others who however appeared unfazed at the development addressed journalists at the scene of the attack. Answering questions from the journalista as to when he is again likely to come to Benue State, the NDC Presidential candidate said, "I'll always come back here; I'm a free citizen of Nigeria. This is my home." Obi regretted that it is the very Nigerians he and the NDC were working to liberate from poverty and underdelopment that were being used in the attempts to stop him. He however expressed optimism that his party will succeed in changing the government of both Benue State and of Nigeria to ensure that citizens get a new lease of life. Shija called world attention to the development and warned that the situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue. Onjeh described as barbaric and uncivilized attempts to stop the NDC Presidential candidate from visiting any where in Nigeria, being that he is a free citizen of this country and noting that it is not the first time the dastardly attempt has been made. The development raises concerns about the possible presence of fifth column issues in Prof. Shija's campaign machinery. A close source in the campaign told The Mandate that people in the Be Benue NDC are still seriously involved with the Alia administration.

Posted: 1month ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026