Amnesty International Nigeria has warned that the reported blockade of opposition presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State could undermine political freedom and raise fresh concerns over the safety of contestants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rights organisation, in a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday, described the incident as a dangerous act of political repression and said the Benue State Government had questions to answer over the alleged involvement of political thugs.
Obi, presidential candidate of the opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was reportedly prevented from entering the state after heavily armed youths barricaded the Gboko Road in Makurdi, according to Amnesty.
The organisation said the reported action amounted to an unlawful attempt to restrict a Nigerian citizen from moving freely within the country on account of his political affiliation, warning that no state should become a no-go area for opposition candidates or their supporters.
Amnesty said the alleged use of armed vigilante groups or political thugs to harass rival candidates was unacceptable, describing the development as an unprecedented act of political hooliganism capable of eroding the democratic process.
It called for action over the incident, stressing that Nigerians should be able to travel to any part of the country without seeking permission or giving prior notification, irrespective of their political allegiance.
The rights group’s intervention has added to growing concerns over political violence and the operating environment for opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, with Amnesty insisting that political competition must not be allowed to compromise citizens’ rights, freedom of movement and electoral participation.
