Keyamo Condemns Blockade of Peter Obi, Accuses Media of Partisan Coverage

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, saying such actions have no place in Nigeria’s democracy. Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday, said politicians should be allowed to move freely and conduct their campaigns without intimidation or violence, regardless of their political affiliation. Obi was reportedly stopped by a group of youths on the Makurdi-Gboko road on Tuesday while travelling to Yelwata, where he planned to meet and sympathise with families affected by the deadly 2025 attacks in the community. Obi and his political supporters described those who blocked the convoy as suspected thugs and alleged that the action was sponsored. However, the Benue State Government denied involvement, saying it had no prior knowledge of Obi’s visit and did not deploy or patronise thugs. The police said they were aware of Obi’s movement and provided security, while investigations into the incident were ongoing. Keyamo: Blockade Should Be Condemned Keyamo said the circumstances behind the confrontation should not determine whether the incident is condemned. He argued that whether the protesters were acting because of internal disagreements within Obi’s party, as suggested by the Benue State Government, or whether they were allegedly sponsored by the APC or another political group, preventing a political candidate from moving freely was unacceptable. The minister also rejected arguments that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata may have been politically motivated. According to Keyamo, even if political considerations were involved, such circumstances would not justify obstructing Obi's movement or preventing him from conducting political activities. Minister Accuses Media of Double Standards Keyamo, however, used the incident to criticise what he described as partisan reporting by sections of the Nigerian media. He alleged that hostile encounters involving APC politicians are sometimes presented as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition politicians are more likely to be described as attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums. The minister called on the media to apply consistent standards when reporting political confrontations involving candidates and parties across the political divide. He urged Nigerians to express their political preferences through the ballot box rather than violence or intimidation during campaigns. The controversy comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with parties and candidates increasingly taking their campaigns and mobilisation efforts to different parts of the country. The competing accounts surrounding the Benue incident remain disputed, and allegations of sponsorship have not been independently established. Source: Channels Television / PUNCH — September 9, 2026. Editorial note: Allegations concerning the identity, motivation or sponsorship of those who blocked Obi’s convoy remain disputed. FACTFUL24 has not independently verified those claims.