Social media commentator Seaking has criticised the Benue State Government following the reported blockade and attack on the convoy of New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi during his visit to the state.
Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked by youths along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway on Tuesday while he was travelling to Yelwata to meet victims of the June 2025 attacks in the community. Reports said the youths mounted a roadblock and prevented the convoy from proceeding.
Reacting to the development, Seaking alleged that the convoy was attacked by thugs despite the presence of police officers at the scene.
“Mr Peter Obi’s convoy is being attacked by thugs in Benue State while Nigeria Police officers are there,” Seaking said.
He questioned why Obi would allegedly become the target of such confrontation in a state that has continued to grapple with deadly attacks and displacement.
“This is a state where bandits and terrorists have taken over communities, and farmers cannot even go to their farms. Yet, it is Peter Obi that is their problem,” he added.
Seaking subsequently directed his criticism at Governor Hyacinth Alia, asking what he described as the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) had turned the country into.
He also referred to Alia, a Catholic priest before becoming governor, as “the one who claims to be a Reverend Father,” in an apparent criticism of the governor's handling of the situation.
The incident occurred as Obi was attempting to visit Yelwata to commiserate with victims of the deadly attacks in the community. According to Channels Television, Obi said his convoy arrived in Makurdi at about 9am before encountering the roadblock while heading towards Yelwata. He said the youths were shouting, “Peter Obi go back!”
The Benue State Government, however, denied responsibility for the blockade. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Solomon Lorpev, said Governor Alia was not officially informed of Obi’s visit and challenged anyone claiming that government appointees were involved to provide evidence.
Lorpev said the state government was investigating what happened and would make its position known after establishing the facts. He also argued that a prominent political figure visiting the state without notifying the state government raised security concerns.
The controversy has consequently generated a wider political debate, with supporters of Obi accusing the Benue authorities of failing to protect the presidential candidate, while the state government maintains that it neither organised nor authorised the blockade.
Obi himself described the incident as “very worrisome” and warned young people against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of violence, particularly when visiting communities affected by insecurity.
While the reported blockade has been documented, Seaking’s claims that the attackers were acting on behalf of the APC or Governor Alia have not been independently established. The Benue Government has expressly denied involvement.
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