Obi’s Benue Blockade: Keyamo Calls for Fair Media Coverage
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, in Benue State, saying political candidates should be allowed to move freely and campaign without intimidation or violence. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Keyamo said the incident, in which a group of youths reportedly prevented Obi from proceeding to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, should be condemned regardless of the political affiliation of those involved. Obi had planned to visit families affected by the deadly June 2025 attack in the community. The incident has generated controversy, with Obi and his party alleging that the protesters were sponsored, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it was unaware of the visit. The Benue Police Command also said it was aware of Obi’s movement and had provided security for the visit, but stated that the reason the youths blocked the convoy was unknown and that the matter was under investigation. Keyamo said it was unacceptable whether the protest resulted from internal disagreements within the NDC, as suggested by the state government, or was allegedly sponsored by the APC or another rival party. He also rejected the argument that Obi’s planned visit could have been politically motivated, saying that should not justify preventing him from accessing the community.
Keyamo said the incident also highlighted what he described as partisan treatment of political confrontations by sections of the media. He argued that angry crowds confronting APC candidates are sometimes described as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition politicians are portrayed as attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums. The minister urged the media to apply the same standards to all political parties and candidates, regardless of their affiliations, and called on Nigerians to channel political grievances through democratic means. Referring to the Yelwata attack of June 2025, which was reported to have claimed more than 100 lives, Keyamo said the community remained associated with the insecurity affecting parts of Benue. He stressed that political disagreements should not result in violence or restrictions on movement, urging those dissatisfied with any candidate to express their views through the ballot box during elections. Keyamo maintained that political campaigns should be conducted peacefully and that the media had a responsibility to remain fair and avoid partisan narratives when reporting political confrontations.
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