The political atmosphere in Benue State came under fresh scrutiny on Tuesday after the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was reportedly blocked by suspected thugs while he was attempting to proceed into the state.

Obi, who visited Benue to express solidarity with families affected by the 2025 killings in Yelwata, was reportedly stopped along Gboko Road by a group of men carrying sticks and other objects.

According to reports, the men blocked the convoy and pursued it as it attempted to leave the area.The incident has triggered political reactions, with Obi and the NDC alleging that the suspected thugs may have been linked to an aide of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The party condemned the incident and called for an investigation.Obi said his visit was not a campaign activity but a humanitarian mission to sympathise with families who lost loved ones in the Yelwata tragedy.

However, the Benue State Government denied any involvement in the disruption, rejecting suggestions that Governor Alia or his administration sponsored or organised the incident.

The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the government had no prior knowledge of Obi’s visit and described allegations linking the administration to the incident as unfounded.

Kula also questioned whether the appropriate security authorities had been formally notified of Obi’s movement, stressing that visits by high-profile political figures require adequate security coordination.The state government maintained that where genuine security concerns exist, recognised security agencies should handle such matters rather than political groups or suspected thugs.Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command reportedly confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s movement and that police personnel provided security for his convoy.The police said the reason some youths blocked the convoy was unclear, adding that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.The development has renewed concerns about political tolerance, security and the freedom of political actors to move across the country, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.The incident has also raised questions over who organised the blockade, the identities of those involved and whether any political actors played a role.An impartial investigation is expected to help establish the facts and determine responsibility for the disruption.