The planned condolence visit of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to Yelwata in Benue State was disrupted on Tuesday after suspected thugs allegedly blocked the road leading to the community.
Obi had arrived in the state to visit families affected by the Yelwata attack in June 2025, which left more than 100 people dead.
Yelwata is a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, about 40–50 kilometres north of Makurdi. The community drew national attention following the attack, which claimed lives.
The incident occurred shortly after Obi arrived in Benue, with supporters alleging that the road was blocked and stones were thrown at members of his delegation.
A supporter who spoke in a video said Obi arrived in the state and was received by supporters at the airport before they proceeded towards Yelwata. According to him, Obi was visiting the community to offer condolences to families of victims and had deliberately separated the visit from his political activities.
He alleged that the road was blocked by thugs “apparently organised by the government in power,” adding that stones were thrown at the convoy. The supporter described the incident as an attempt to prevent Obi from reaching the victims’ families but said the development would not discourage them.
Obi, who also spoke in the video, said his presence in Benue was not for campaign purposes but a condolence visit.
“Today, I am in Benue, not for campaign, I only wanted to go to the place where people died, and to condole them.”
The former Anambra State governor also called for a more united political environment, saying that politics should be driven by unity, love, justice and a shared commitment to doing what is right.
The development comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Obi engaging supporters and stakeholders across the country.
However, the identities of those who allegedly blocked the convoy and the circumstances surrounding the incident could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
