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Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has condemned the blockade of the 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State.
Keyamo said political grievances should be expressed through the ballot box rather than violent acts.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Keyamo said the incident, regardless of who was responsible, must be condemned by all.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC (as posited by the Benue State Government) or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” Keyamo wrote.
“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” he added.
Peter Obi, NDC presidential aspirant, says he was blocked by youths, allegedly led by a governor’s aide, from visiting Yelwata, Benue State, to console families affected by the June 2025 massacre. This incident raises questions about political access, security, and the dangerous… pic.twitter.com/Qj92VbHXhg
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) September 9, 2026
The minister also rejected suggestions that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata, where scores of people were killed in a 2025 attack, was politically motivated.
“Some have also accused Obi of attempting to whip up fresh emotions by attempting to visit Yelwata where the unfortunate killings happened more than a year ago, just for political reasons, hence the blockade,” he said.
“That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference.”
Keyamo used the incident to criticise what he described as partisan reporting, accusing sections of the media of applying different standards depending on the political party involved.
He argued that when APC candidates are confronted by angry crowds, some media outlets often describe it as “rejection” by Nigerians, while similar incidents involving opposition figures are reported as attacks by “sponsored thugs” or “hoodlums.”
“This is what is unacceptable. In fact, many opposition leaders openly boasts that the APC candidates cannot go to some parts of this country and shout ‘APC!’ without being ‘stoned’, ‘beaten’ or molested, yet the partisan Press do not call out such leaders and even help to accentuate such statements.
“What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all.”
PETER OBI AND THE BENUE INCIDENT: WHAT WE DEMAND IS CONSISTENCY FROM THE PARTISAN MEDIA
Yesterday’s report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be…
— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) September 9, 2026
