The diaspora advocacy group Save Nigeria Group USA (SNG-USA) has strongly condemned a blockade that halted the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Benue State.
The organisation described the incident as a direct threat to democratic freedoms and demanded a thorough investigation into who sanctioned the action.
Mr Obi was travelling along the Gboko–Makurdi Road—en route to Yelewata in the Guma Local Government Area—when his convoy was obstructed by a group of protesters.
His planned trip was a condolence visit to families and survivors affected by the brutal attacks of June 2025, which claimed over 270 lives, rather than a political campaign event.
The disruption occurred on a heavily monitored highway corridor situated close to both the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport. Video footage circulating online shows a crowd physically barring the road, preventing the convoy from proceeding. Mr Obi chose to de-escalate the situation by turning back rather than attempting to force a passage through the barricade.
In a joint statement issued from Washington, D.C., signed by SNG-USA President Stephen Osemwegie, Media Director Victor Onyeka-Ben, Public Relations Director Autumn Miller, and Assistant Media Director David Adenekan, the group labelled the ambush “deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable.”
“Democracy cannot survive political intimidation,” the group stated, commending Mr Obi’s restraint whilst warning that allowing political actors to use mobs to suppress rivals undermines the rule of law.
SNG-USA called upon the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Armed Forces to remain non-partisan and ensure equal security and freedom of movement for all political figures.
The group also urged international stakeholders—including the United States Government, the European Union, the United Nations, and the African Union—to closely monitor Nigeria’s political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
During the encounter, allegations surfaced suggesting that a Special Assistant to the Benue State Government was involved in organising the blockade.
The Benue State Government has categorically rejected these allegations, stating it had no prior knowledge of Mr Obi’s visit and denying any involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that an investigation into the matter has been opened to establish the motives and identify those responsible for ordering the blockade.
