Peter Obi Deserves Benue Treatment, Politics Is Won at Polling Units — Faruk Lawal

A political associate of Seyi Tinubu, Faruk Lawal, has criticised former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi over the recent incident involving his convoy in Benue State.

Lawal reportedly said Obi “deserves what happened to him in Benue,” arguing that political influence cannot be built solely through public appearances, including visits to internally displaced persons’ camps.

“Peter Obi deserves what happened to him in Benue State. Politics is not by mouth or visiting IDP camps. Politics is being done in polling units,” Lawal was quoted as saying.

The comment comes days after reports that youths reportedly blocked Obi’s convoy along the Makurdi-Gboko road while he was travelling to Yelwata, Benue State.

Obi had described the incident as worrisome, alleging that some individuals in the crowd shouted that he should leave the state. The Benue State Government, however, denied involvement and said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Lawal’s statement appears to frame the confrontation within the wider political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, suggesting that political popularity should ultimately be measured by electoral support rather than public visibility.

His reference to polling units also highlights the importance of grassroots mobilisation in Nigerian elections, where parties and candidates depend on networks of supporters, agents and voters across wards and polling units to translate campaign popularity into actual votes.

Obi has in recent months increased his engagement with communities affected by insecurity and displacement, including visits to internally displaced persons' camps.

During one such visit, he said the continued presence of Nigerians in IDP camps was evidence that government had not adequately addressed the security problems forcing citizens from their homes.

His approach has attracted both support and criticism, with supporters describing the visits as direct engagement with affected Nigerians while opponents argue that political leaders must build stronger structures at the grassroots.

Lawal's latest criticism therefore adds another dimension to the increasingly competitive 2027 political environment, where candidates are seeking to convert national visibility into actual electoral structures.

For now, his assertion that Obi “deserves” the Benue incident remains a political opinion and should not be interpreted as evidence that the confrontation was justified or that Obi was responsible for what occurred.