Kwankwaso Warns of Anarchy After Attack on Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benue

Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the disruption of Peter Obi’s movement in Benue State, warning that the development could push Nigeria towards anarchy if decisive action is not taken. Kwankwaso expressed his disappointment after Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked by youths along Gboko Road in Makurdi while the NDC presidential candidate was travelling to Yelwata to sympathise with families affected by the deadly 2025 attack in the community.

Kwankwaso Condemns Attack on Obi’s Convoy

Reacting to the incident, Kwankwaso described the development as disturbing and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process. He alleged that unruly elements had been mobilised to block and attack Obi’s convoy and prevent him from proceeding into Makurdi.

Kwankwaso called on the Benue State Government to urgently identify and prosecute those responsible, stressing that citizens must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of movement. He also urged authorities to guarantee the safety of Obi and members of his entourage.

“This Could Lead Us to Anarchy”

Kwankwaso expressed particular concern about the broader political implications of the incident. According to him, failure by the Federal Government and state authorities to address such incidents could create an environment where political disagreements increasingly degenerate into confrontation and violence.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly governors belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), against actions that could undermine democratic freedoms.

He further called on diplomatic missions, international organisations and election-observation groups to take note of the incident and encourage Nigerian authorities to protect opposition figures and uphold the rule of law.

Obi Says He Was Visiting Benue to Condole With Victims

Peter Obi said his trip to Benue was not a campaign activity. The NDC presidential candidate explained that he travelled to Yelwata to sympathise with families and communities affected by the killings in the area and to demonstrate solidarity with those who lost loved ones.

Obi said his convoy arrived in Makurdi at about 9 a.m. but was subsequently prevented from proceeding towards Yelwata. He alleged that youths had been mobilised to block the road and were chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.” He described the development as unacceptable and called on security agencies to intervene.

Benue Government Denies Involvement

The Benue State Government has strongly denied allegations that it organised or sponsored the blockade.

Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the government was unaware of Obi’s visit and rejected suggestions that the administration would use thugs to stop the opposition candidate.

The state government also questioned whether the visit had been properly coordinated with relevant security authorities, arguing that movements by prominent political figures should ordinarily involve security arrangements. It urged the public to disregard allegations linking the governor or the state government to the incident.

Police Confirm Security Deployment

The police have confirmed that they were aware of Obi’s movement and had deployed personnel to provide security for his visit. According to the latest reports, Benue State Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu said he had directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, to lead officers assigned to Obi’s movement.

The police said the reason the youths blocked the convoy remained unclear and that an investigation was underway to determine what happened and why the obstruction occurred.

This is significant because it leaves a major question unresolved: who organised the youths and what exactly prompted the blockade? While Obi and some members of his political camp have alleged political mobilisation, the Benue State Government has denied involvement. Available reporting confirms the obstruction itself, but does not independently establish who organised it.

A Fresh Test for Nigeria’s 2027 Politics

The confrontation comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi and Kwankwaso are among the leading figures of the NDC, while the ruling APC remains the dominant political force at the federal level. The Benue incident has therefore generated concerns about how opposition candidates will be received as political campaigns become more intense.

For Kwankwaso, allowing political disagreements to develop into physical obstruction could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s democratic environment. His warning about possible anarchy reflects the wider concern that political rivalry must not be allowed to undermine citizens’ freedom of movement or peaceful political participation.

Political Tension Mounts

The incident has now produced competing narratives, with Obi demanding accountability, the Benue Government denying responsibility and the police investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade. For now, the most important unanswered questions remain who mobilised the youths, why Obi’s convoy was stopped and whether anyone will ultimately be held accountable.

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the Benue episode could become an important test of whether political competition can remain peaceful—and whether authorities will act quickly when opposition figures face threats or obstruction.The strongest angle for publication is to attribute the allegations carefully: the blockade is reported and police-confirmed, but the claim that the Benue Government organised it remains disputed. OGM News NG will continue to monitor development on this news report.