By Esther Nwagbara
The planned visit by presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, to victims and families of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State was yesterday aborted after suspected thugs allegedly blocked his entry into the community.
Obi’s media office alleged that the attackers, who were armed with dangerous weapons, stopped the former Anambra State governor and his entourage as they attempted to proceed to Yelwata, where more than 270 people were reportedly killed in the horrific attack.
The allegation was contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of Peter Obi Media Office, POMR, Idris Zekeri, yesterday.
According to the statement, the group allegedly blocking Obi’s movement was led by an aide to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
Obi, who confirmed the incident in a post on his X handle, said he had travelled to Benue solely to mourn with the victims and families affected by the killings and not to engage in political activities.
He said: “I came to Benue not for politics but to mourn with our people, to listen to families who have lost loved ones, and to offer our solidarity during a moment of unimaginable pain.”
Obi said he arrived in Benue at about 9am with the intention of visiting the victims and families affected by the killings in Yelwata, but was stopped from proceeding into the community.
“Unfortunately, we were stopped from proceeding to the community by thugs chanting, ‘Peter Obi, go back,” he said.
The NDC candidate described the development as disturbing, particularly because the purpose of his visit was to sympathise with victims of the attack and hear directly from affected families.
He said: “It is most worrisome that a visit meant solely to show solidarity, support, and compassion, and to hear from the victims and their families about how we can prevent such tragedies in future, could be obstructed in this manner.”
Obi urged political actors to avoid actions capable of deepening divisions at a time when Nigerians should be united in grief and focused on preventing further loss of lives.
He said Benue residents and Nigerians deserved to live without fear of attacks, stressing that the protection of human life should remain the government’s foremost responsibility.
“At a time when our nation should be united in grief and committed to preventing further loss of life, we must avoid actions that deepen divisions,” Obi said.
“Benue and the Nigerian people deserve to sleep peacefully, travel safely, and farm their lands without fear.
“Above all, they deserve to live in a country where the government prioritises the protection of human life above every political consideration.”
The former governor said although he could not reach Yelwata, he remained committed to the victims and their families.
“Although we could not reach the community today, our hearts and prayers remain with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community,” he said.
Obi vowed to continue pressing for measures to prevent further killings and restore what he described as the fundamental responsibility of government to protect citizens.
The statement from his media office did not give details of whether any arrest was made during the incident.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government or Governor Alia’s office is yet to respond to the allegation that one of the governor’s aides led the group that allegedly blocked Obi’s movement as of the time of writing this report.
