The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has condemned the alleged obstruction of the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.
The APM alleged that Obi’s convoy was blocked by suspected state-sponsored thugs while he was travelling to Yelwata to visit families affected by the recent killings in the area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication to Seyi Makinde, the APM presidential candidate, the party described the incident as ‘deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable.’
‘We strongly condemn the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026,’ the statement said.
The campaign alleged that the incident represented an attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‘The incident, in which Mr. Obi’s convoy was obstructed by a group of suspected state-sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable,’ it said.
‘It marks a new low in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.’
The APM campaign linked the incident to Obi’s appearance a day earlier at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, where the NDC candidate joined other opposition figures to show solidarity with Makinde.
‘It is particularly worrisome that this targeted attack came barely 24 hours after Mr. Peter Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with our principal, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7, 2026,’ the statement said.
According to the campaign, recent political realignments ahead of the 2027 election had unsettled the APC.
‘Expectedly, the ruling APC overburdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Tinubu to Nigerians, is rattled by recent political developments, leading them to resort to barbaric tactics, including intimidation, harassment, and the unlawful obstruction of the legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders,’ it alleged.
The campaign also rejected the explanation reportedly given by the Benue State Government that Obi failed to obtain prior permission before visiting the state.
The APM argued that the right to movement and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution did not require citizens or political candidates to seek permission from state governments before travelling within the country.
‘We therefore find the statement credited to the Benue State Government, that the NDC Presidential Candidate did not seek prior permission from the state government before his visit, completely unacceptable and condemnable,’ it said.
‘Every Nigerian, presidential candidate or otherwise, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct legitimate activities without prior permission or notice.’
The campaign cited Sections 41(1) and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which respectively guarantee freedom of movement and freedom of association and assembly.
‘Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy,’ it said.
The APM consequently called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.
‘We demand that the Nigerian Police immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book in the interest of our democracy,’ the campaign said.
It, however, pledged that the alleged incident would not deter the opposition from participating in the 2027 electoral process.
‘As a campaign, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process; however, we state clearly that we shall not be deterred or cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible,’ the statement added.