NDC demands a probe after Peter Obi’s Yelwata visit was allegedly blocked in Benue, amid conflicting accounts from the state government and police.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded a full investigation into the alleged obstruction of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during his attempt to visit Yelwata community in Benue State.
The party described the development as troubling, particularly because Obi said he was travelling to the community to sympathise with families who lost loved ones in the deadly attack reported in June 2025.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, called on the Benue State Government and security agencies to establish what happened during the incident and identify those responsible.
The party also urged the authorities to ensure that anyone found to have deliberately obstructed the visit faces appropriate legal consequences.
Obi’s planned movement to Yelwata has generated controversy because of differing accounts from the parties involved.
While the Benue State Government said it was not aware that the former Anambra State governor would be visiting the community, the state police command said it knew about his planned movement and had deployed officers to provide security.
The police position was confirmed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, who said officers were involved in providing security for Obi’s movement to Yelwata.
Aondongu, however, said the circumstances surrounding the blockage remained unclear, including why the convoy was prevented from proceeding to the community.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the level of communication between Obi’s team, the state government and security authorities before the planned visit.
According to the NDC, however, the central issue should not be political rivalry but the need to protect human lives and allow citizens and public figures to express solidarity with communities affected by violence.
Director argued that Obi’s planned visit was a humanitarian gesture rather than a political campaign activity.
He said the party considered it unacceptable for an attempt to visit bereaved families to be disrupted, especially in a community that had suffered a major loss of lives.
The NDC spokesperson maintained that the people of Benue, as well as Nigerians in other parts of the country, should be able to go about their daily activities without fear.
He stressed that the protection of lives and property should remain one of the most important responsibilities of government.
“Although access to the community was denied today, the hearts and prayers of the NDC and our Presidential Candidate remain with the victims, their families, and the entire Yelwata community,” Director said.
He added that the alleged incident would not stop the party or its candidate from showing concern for Nigerians affected by violence.
“We will not be deterred. The NDC will persist until we restore the fundamental responsibility of government: the protection of every Nigerian’s life,” he stated.
The party subsequently called for an immediate and transparent investigation involving the relevant authorities.
It said the investigation should determine the events leading to the obstruction, establish who was responsible and ensure that appropriate action was taken against anyone found culpable.
“We call on the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to immediately investigate this incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and guarantee the safety of all citizens and leaders who seek to show solidarity in times of grief,” Director added.
Obi had earlier raised the alarm over the incident, alleging that “hired thugs” prevented him from reaching Yelwata.
The former Anambra governor said his intention was to meet families affected by the violence and demonstrate solidarity with residents who had experienced the tragedy.
His account of the incident has since become a subject of public discussion, particularly against the backdrop of the different explanations coming from the state government and police authorities.
The former governor also pointed to his recent political engagements as evidence that his activities were not intended to inflame political tensions.
A day before the planned Yelwata visit, Obi attended the opening of the national campaign office of another opposition presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, in Abuja.
Obi described his participation in the event as part of his commitment to political civility and peaceful engagement among opposition figures.
However, the Benue State Government reportedly maintained that it had no information about Obi’s proposed visit to the state.
That position differs from the account provided by the police command, which acknowledged awareness of his movement and said security personnel were deployed.
The police, while confirming its involvement in securing the movement, did not immediately provide an explanation for the obstruction of the convoy.
The uncertainty over what happened has therefore left several questions unanswered, including who allegedly blocked the convoy, why the movement was stopped and whether the incident could have been prevented through better coordination.
For the NDC, the controversy reinforces the need for government and security agencies to ensure that political differences do not interfere with humanitarian activities or the right of individuals to express sympathy with victims of tragedy.
The party insisted that the circumstances surrounding the Yelwata incident must be properly established rather than allowed to remain a subject of speculation.
It also called for adequate protection for citizens, political leaders and other individuals who visit communities affected by violence to offer condolences or support.
The Yelwata controversy comes months after the reported June 2025 massacre, which left hundreds of people dead and renewed concerns over insecurity and attacks on communities in Benue State.
The NDC said the tragedy should remain a reminder of the need for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and greater attention to the safety of residents.
As of the time of the report, the competing accounts from the Benue State Government, the NDC and the police had not produced a definitive explanation for the alleged blockade.
The party is now pressing for an investigation that would clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any individual or group should be held accountable.
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