Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has denied allegations that he sponsored thugs to attack and block Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), from entering Makurdi, the state capital. According to the report, Obi alleged in a viral video that political thugs led by a special assistant to the governor were behind the incident. Alia dismissed the claims and said Obi was not a political threat ahead of the 2027 elections.

Tension erupted in Benue State on Tuesday after suspected thugs allegedly blocked a major road as Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arrived in the state. The incident was disclosed by Obi's media aide, Esther Umoh, who shared a video on her X handle showing the blocked route, according to the Daily Post. Details of any injuries or arrests were not immediately available.

The Benue State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Terhemba Shiga, has described the individuals who attacked Peter Obi in the state as 'victims of substance abuse'. According to Daily Post, Shiga made the remark while speaking to journalists on Tuesday shortly after the incident. Trouble reportedly erupted when suspected thugs blocked a major access route in the state during the attack on the former presidential candidate.

Human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor has criticised youths who allegedly blocked Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi from entering Benue State. According to the Daily Post, Ejimakor said in a post on his X handle on Tuesday that the youths who barricaded a road to stop Obi had not taken similar action against terrorists responsible for attacks in the state, suggesting the move targeted Igbos rather than addressing insecurity.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi said armed thugs blocked and attacked his convoy during a visit to survivors of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, according to his account of the incident captured in a trending video. The reported stoning has sparked political controversy in Nigeria as campaigning begins ahead of the 2027 general elections, with details of the alleged attack still emerging and no independent confirmation of the circumstances reported.

The Benue State Government has rejected claims by Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate Peter Obi that thugs working for the state blocked him from reaching Yelewata to console families affected by the 2025 attacks. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Hyacinth Alia denied any government role in the alleged convoy blockade, according to Leadership. The dispute centres on access to the community and responsibility for the reported obstruction.