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 NDC has condemned an alleged attack and obstruction involving Peter Obi in Benue State, according to Vanguard. The group urged the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies to investigate the incident immediately and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. The report did not provide further details about the nature of the incident, any injuries, or the identities of the alleged perpetrators.

According to Vanguard, the Igbo Renaissance Group condemned reports that National Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi was obstructed from visiting Benue communities affected by recent killings. The group demanded a public apology from Benue Governor Alia over the alleged incident. The report frames the visit as linked to communities hit by deadly violence, while describing the obstruction itself as reported rather than independently confirmed.

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.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to intervene after his planned visit to Yelewata community in Benue State was disrupted. Obi, who arrived in Makurdi on Tuesday morning and was heading to Yelewata, urged the security chiefs to call governors to order over the alleged convoy blockade, according to Daily Trust.