Presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for peaceful political campaigns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections after youths blocked his convoy on the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway in Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Obi had arrived in Makurdi to visit Yelewata and express solidarity with families affected by the deadly attacks in the community. His convoy, however, encountered a roadblock shortly after leaving the airport, disrupting traffic along the major highway and preventing the delegation from immediately reaching its destination.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Obi appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to become instruments of political violence. He also called on security agencies to ensure that politicians can move freely and conduct political activities without intimidation.
The incident comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising fresh concerns about the safety and conduct of the emerging campaign season.
Obi described the obstruction as unacceptable and said his decision not to confront the protesters was intended to prevent the situation from escalating.
According to the former Anambra State governor, his delegation chose restraint because forcing its way through the blockade could have created further confusion and put other road users at risk.
He urged young Nigerians to reject political violence, particularly when such confrontations are driven by interests that do not serve ordinary citizens.
His appeal also placed responsibility on security authorities, with Obi asking the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant agencies to intervene and ensure that political actors are protected during legitimate campaign activities.
The episode highlights the potential security challenges that could accompany the 2027 election cycle as political parties increase grassroots mobilisation across the country.
Obi arrived at the Tactical Air Command in Makurdi in the morning and was received by members of his party, including the party’s governorship candidate, Professor Terhemba Shija.
The situation changed after the convoy left the airport and encountered youths who had blocked the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko highway.
Channels Television reported that the road closure affected other motorists and created significant traffic congestion, while police officers at the scene did little to immediately clear the obstruction.
Reports from other outlets also described the incident as a confrontation involving suspected political loyalists, although claims about who organised the blockade have not been independently established.
Key developments from the incident include:
- Obi’s convoy was stopped on the Makurdi-Gboko highway.
- The delegation was travelling toward Yelewata.
- The roadblock caused traffic disruption.
- Obi appealed for a peaceful campaign environment.
- He urged security agencies to intervene in political confrontations.
Obi’s planned visit to Yelewata was linked to the community’s history of deadly violence. He intended to meet affected residents and sympathise with families who lost loved ones in the attacks.
The visit also fits into Obi’s broader criticism of insecurity in Benue and other parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region. In previous statements, he has called for stronger intelligence gathering, faster security responses and the prosecution of those responsible for attacks on communities.
The former Anambra governor has repeatedly argued that political debates over the 2027 elections should not overshadow the need to protect citizens from killings, kidnappings and displacement.
Tuesday’s incident is not the first time Obi’s activities in Benue have generated controversy.
Channels Television reported that a similar dispute occurred in 2025 when the Benue State Government restricted Obi’s proposed visit to internally displaced persons in the state without prior approval.
The latest roadblock therefore adds another layer to the political tensions surrounding Obi’s activities in the state, particularly as parties prepare for the 2027 presidential and other elections.
However, allegations regarding the identity or political affiliation of those behind Tuesday’s blockade should be treated cautiously until an official investigation or response establishes responsibility.
The Benue confrontation comes at a sensitive stage in Nigeria’s political calendar. As campaigns and political mobilisation gather momentum, the ability of parties and candidates to campaign peacefully will increasingly become a test for security agencies and political leaders.
Obi’s response was notably focused on de-escalation rather than confrontation. His appeal to youths and security authorities underscores the wider concern that political competition could translate into street-level violence if supporters are mobilised against rival candidates.
For Nigeria’s 2027 elections, the immediate challenge will be to ensure that political disagreements remain within democratic boundaries and that candidates, supporters and voters can participate without intimidation.
The Benue incident is therefore more than a dispute over access to a road. It is an early warning about the importance of enforcing campaign rules, protecting political freedoms and preventing young Nigerians from being drawn into election-related violence.
