The 2027 political battle has taken a fresh and disturbing turn as Amnesty International condemned the reported blockade of the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Benue State, warning that political thuggery could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi’s movement was reportedly obstructed along Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital, on Tuesday when youths allegedly barricaded the road, preventing his convoy from proceeding.
The development has triggered questions over the recently celebrated political peace accord and whether opposition candidates will be allowed to move freely across the country and campaign without intimidation.
Amnesty International, in a statement issued on Tuesday, described the incident as “a reckless and unlawful use of political thugs” and demanded answers from the Benue State Government over what it termed a “brazen act of political repression.”
“No Nigerian needs anybody’s permission to visit any part of the country at all times,” the rights organisation said.
The group alleged that heavily armed youths barricaded Gboko Road in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to obstruct Obi’s movement and place his entourage at risk.
“This is an unprecedented and dangerous act that undermines the entire democratic process,” it said.
Amnesty warned that harassment of opposition candidates by state-endorsed armed groups or political thugs was unlawful, urging authorities to take immediate steps to prevent political repression and violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
It said it had been documenting what it described as increasing political repression since last year, including alleged attempts to stop opposition groups from holding meetings in hotels, attacks on political activities and other developments capable of denying political parties a level playing field.
“We are seriously concerned that the Nigerian Government is doing very little to prevent political repression and violence,” Amnesty said.
The rights group alleged that some state governments were adopting an “unpronounced policy” of using different methods to shut out political opposition, while expressing concern over the alleged failure to investigate and prosecute those responsible for such acts.
The Benue incident has therefore reignited debate over the effectiveness of the political peace accord signed by parties and political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers have questioned the purpose of such an agreement if presidential candidates cannot freely visit states, meet supporters and engage citizens without obstruction.
Benue govt denies involvement
The Benue State Government has, however, denied involvement in the incident.
The government said it was not aware of Obi’s visit and rejected allegations that it deployed thugs to prevent the opposition candidate from moving through Makurdi.
It maintained that the state government neither engages nor patronises thugs as instruments of governance or security.
The government also questioned why Obi’s visit was allegedly not formally communicated to relevant authorities.
The reported presence of police personnel at the scene has added another dimension to the controversy, with calls growing for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blockade.
Ortom attacks Alia
Meanwhile, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has launched a fresh attack on his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, describing him as “lawless and hypocritical.”
Ortom, who spoke on Arise TV, accused Alia of failing to account for resources accruing to the state and described his administration as disappointing.
The former governor also criticised Alia’s conduct as a priest before becoming governor.
“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 alleged.
He further accused the governor of being controversial and unaccountable.
“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 described as his entitlements as a former governor, 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 N5 million,” he alleged.
The former governor also criticised Alia’s relationship with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, alleging that the governor had shown little respect for the former governor and political godfather.
Ortom 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.
He described the situation in Benue as troubling and accused the governor of setting a poor example of priesthood.
The latest controversy comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with concerns over political tolerance, freedom of movement and the safety of opposition candidates increasingly dominating the political discourse.
Amnesty International urged political parties and candidates to translate their anti-violence commitments 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.
