Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the obstruction of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi during his visit to Benue State, saying political disagreements must not be allowed to degenerate into intimidation or violence.
Keyamo also criticised what he described as partisan reporting of political confrontations, arguing that sections of the media often attach different interpretations to similar incidents depending on the political party involved.
Obi’s convoy was stopped by a group of youths on Tuesday along the Makurdi-Gboko road while he was travelling towards Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area. The former Anambra State governor had planned to visit families affected by the deadly attack on the community in June 2025.
The incident triggered competing accounts from Obi’s political camp and the Benue State Government. The NDC alleged that suspected hired thugs, allegedly led by an aide to Governor Hyacinth Alia, blocked the convoy and prevented Obi from reaching the community.
The state government, however, denied any involvement. Governor Alia’s administration said it was not aware of Obi’s visit and argued that appropriate security arrangements would ordinarily require prior notification to the relevant authorities. It also challenged those alleging government involvement to provide evidence.
The Benue State Police Command was reportedly aware of Obi’s movement and provided security for the visit, although the reason for the youths’ action remained unclear and investigations were expected to establish what happened.
Reacting on Wednesday, Keyamo said the blockade should be condemned regardless of who was responsible.
He argued that even if the protesters were acting because of an internal disagreement within the NDC, as suggested by the Benue Government, or if the action was sponsored by a rival political party, such conduct had no place in a democratic society.
Keyamo also rejected the argument that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata may have been politically motivated because of the significance of the 2025 killings. He maintained that political considerations should not be used to justify restricting a politician’s movement.
“Everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” the minister said.
The minister subsequently turned his attention to the media, accusing some outlets of applying what he described as double standards in their coverage of political confrontations.
According to Keyamo, confrontations involving APC politicians are sometimes presented as evidence of popular rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition figures are characterised as attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums. He urged journalists to apply the same standards regardless of the political affiliation of the individuals involved.
With political activities intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, Keyamo called on supporters of all parties to exercise restraint and settle political disagreements through democratic means.
He said Nigerians who oppose any candidate should express their position at the ballot box rather than through violence or physical obstruction during campaigns.
The episode has meanwhile added another layer to the already heated political atmosphere surrounding the 2027 presidential race, while the conflicting accounts over who organised the blockade remain unresolved.
