Peter Obi has reportedly been prevented from gaining access into Benue State amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to posts circulating on X on Tuesday, September 8, the NDC presidential candidate’s photographer, Esther Umoh claimed that she and others had just arrived in Benue when they encountered what she described as “alleged sponsored thugs” blocking Boko Road near the Air Force Base. She alleged that the obstruction was aimed at preventing Obi from entering the state.
In a subsequent post, Umoh wrote that Obi wanted to proceed but “security personnel are not allowing him to.”
Another social-media user expressed support for Obi forcing his way through the alleged blockade, writing that he would be happy if Obi “forces his way through,” adding that “nobody has a monopoly of madness.”
The incident is politically significant because Benue State is governed by Hyacinth Alia, a former Catholic priest who became governor after winning the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Alia was sworn into office on May 29, 2023.
Before entering politics, Alia was an ordained Catholic priest.
In April 2025, Alia cautioned Peter Obi against visiting Benue for a humanitarian outreach, saying that visits without the required approval and security arrangements could not be guaranteed safe. The dispute followed Obi’s planned visit to support internally displaced persons in the state.
More notably, in July 2025, the Benue government issued another warning concerning visits by high-profile individuals. A notice signed by Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, stated that the governor was not expecting any “August visitor” and warned that groups or high-profile individuals seeking to enter the state for visits that could attract political gatherings should reconsider because their safety could not be guaranteed. The warning was subsequently reported as part of criticism directed at Alia over his stance toward Obi.