By Oscar Okhifo
The political peace accord recently celebrated ahead of the 2027 general elections has come under scrutiny following the reported obstruction of the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Benue State.
The incident has also drawn condemnation from Amnesty International, which accused political actors of using intimidation and alleged thuggery to restrict the movement of opposition candidates.
Obi’s movement was reportedly obstructed along Gboko Road in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Tuesday, when youths allegedly barricaded the road and prevented his entourage from proceeding.
The development has raised fresh concerns over whether political candidates can freely travel across the country, meet citizens and visit communities without intimidation or obstruction.
The concerns come against the backdrop of commitments by political parties and candidates to peaceful campaigns and non-violence as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Amnesty International, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Country Director, Isah Sanusi, described the incident as “a reckless and unlawful use of political thugs” and said the Benue State Government had questions to answer over what it called a “brazen act of political repression.”
“No Nigerian needs anybody’s permission to visit any part of the country at all times,” the organisation said.
Amnesty alleged that heavily armed youths unlawfully barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi in what appeared to be a coordinated action that placed Obi and members of his entourage at risk.
“This is an unprecedented and dangerous act that undermines the entire democratic process,” it said.
The rights organisation warned that harassment of rival candidates by state-endorsed armed vigilante groups or thugs was unlawful, and urged authorities to take decisive steps to prevent political repression and violence.
“Harassment of rival candidates by state-endorsed armed vigilante groups or thugs is unlawful,” it said.
Amnesty International said it had been documenting what it described as increasing political repression since last year, including alleged attempts to prevent opposition groups from holding political meetings in hotels, attacks on political activities and other developments it said were undermining a level playing field.
“Since last year Amnesty International has been documenting shocking levels of political repression, including preventing hotels from hosting political meetings organised by the opposition, direct attacks on political activities and other acts that undermine the existence of a level playing field politically,” it said.
The organisation also expressed concern that the Federal Government and relevant authorities were not doing enough to prevent political repression and violence.
“We are seriously concerned that the Nigerian Government is doing very little to prevent political repression and violence,” Amnesty said.
It further alleged that some states were implementing an “unpronounced policy” of using various means to shut out political opposition, while expressing concern over the failure of authorities to investigate and prosecute suspected perpetrators.
The incident has consequently revived questions about the practical meaning of the political peace accord, particularly whether its commitments can guarantee presidential and other opposition candidates the freedom to move, campaign and engage with citizens across the country.
The issue is likely to attract greater attention as political parties intensify nationwide consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Benue Government denies involvement
The Benue State Government has denied any involvement in the reported blockade.
The government said it was unaware of Obi’s visit and rejected allegations that it deployed thugs to obstruct the opposition candidate.
It maintained that the state does not engage, patronise or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security.
The government also questioned why Obi’s visit was allegedly not formally communicated to the relevant authorities.
The reported presence of police officers at the scene has added another dimension to the controversy, particularly over how the convoy of a presidential candidate could be obstructed on a major road.
The incident has attracted reactions from political figures, with calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blockade and for the rights of political candidates to move freely and campaign to be respected.
Ortom attacks Alia
In a related political development in the state, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has criticised his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, describing him as “lawless and hypocritical” and accusing his administration of failing to account for the resources accruing to the state.
Ortom, who spoke on Arise TV, also described Alia as the “worst Reverend Father ever,” alleging that the governor had disappointed the people who elected him.
“I know many priests and many are my friends. None is like him. He is just something else. He deceived Benue people with his so-called healing ministry. Up till now, I have not seen anyone that was healed then by him,” Ortom said.
The former governor accused Alia of being controversial and unaccountable, alleging that his administration had failed in governance.
“He deceived them and he has shown his failure. He is controversial and never accountable to anyone,” he said.
Ortom also revisited his dispute with the Alia administration over 23 used vehicles, alleging that the vehicles, which he said were his lawful entitlements, were taken from him and had not been returned despite a court judgment.
“The 23 used cars he took from me were my entitlements. As a former governor, my wife and I lawfully got those vehicles. He has returned none and he never appealed the court judgment that ordered him to return them to me. He was even fined ₦5 million,” he said.
The former governor also criticised Alia’s relationship with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, whom he said played a significant role in Alia’s emergence as governor.
“Even the man who backed him to where he is today, that is the SGF, George Akume, he has no respect or regard for him,” Ortom alleged.
He urged Benue residents to reject Alia and support former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, whom he identified as his preferred candidate.
Ortom lamented the situation in Benue, describing Alia as a “zero blessing” to the people and accusing the governor of setting what he considered a bad example of priesthood.
The latest controversy comes as political parties and actors intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with political tolerance, freedom of movement and the ability of opposition candidates to campaign across the country emerging as key concerns.
Amnesty International urged political parties and candidates to ensure that their commitments to peaceful elections translate into concrete action.
“Political parties and candidates must make anti-violence and thuggery stance a clear and integral part of their election campaign,” the organisation said.