The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Development Party (NNDP), Peter Obi, has reacted after a mob reportedly blocked his convoy in Benue State on Tuesday, September 8.
Obi and members of his entourage had reportedly arrived in the state capital and were heading to their destination when demonstrators allegedly intercepted the convoy along Boko Road, near the Air Force Base.
A video circulating on social media showed a crowd occupying the road and chanting, “We nor want Obi,” while security personnel, including armed officers, were seen in the vicinity.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Obi said his visit to Benue was not politically motivated, explaining that he travelled to the state to commiserate with victims of a recent attack.
“All I can say is that we have no other country except this one, and we will all build it based on unity, love, and a shared sense of doing the right thing,” Obi said.
He explained that his purpose for visiting the state was to sympathise with communities affected by the violence rather than engage in political activities.
“Today, I am in Benue, not for a campaign. I only wanted to go to a place where people lost their lives, condole with them, and show solidarity with them,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating nature of political engagement in Nigeria.
“You can see the level to which our politics has degenerated,” he said.
Obi said politicians and their supporters should embrace a more peaceful and inclusive approach ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He recalled that he had, on Monday, joined members of the APM and its presidential candidate at the launch of the party’s office, where he appealed for a politics centred on unity, love and justice.
“That was why yesterday, I joined the APM family together with their presidential candidate in launching its office, and I used that to plead with people: let our next politics be a politics of unity, of love, justice, and a shared sense of being safe,” he said.
The incident has sparked reactions online, with questions raised over political tolerance, security and the right of opposition politicians to move freely across the country.
Obi’s comments came as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
