Kwankwaso Fumes as Thugs Ambush Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benue, Tells Tinubu to Rein in APC Governors

Tensions within the political landscape escalated sharply after suspected political thugs mounted a hostile blockade to intercept the convoy of opposition figure Peter Obi in Benue State, halting his movement into the state capital, Makurdi, and drawing swift condemnation from across party lines.

The incident occurred as Obi and his delegation attempted to access the capital city for political consultations, only to find thoroughfares obstructed by crowds of disruptive elements who barred the motorcade from advancing.

Reacting to the standoff, former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, launched a blistering critique against the perpetrators, describing the ambush as a deeply troubling day for the nation’s democratic health. Kwankwaso noted that the deliberate mobilization of unruly elements to disrupt the itinerary of a former governor and frontline opposition leader represents a dangerous regression toward state-sanctioned intimidation.

Emphasizing foundational legal protections, the former defence minister reminded state authorities that Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen the unfettered right to freedom of movement anywhere within the federation. He maintained that this constitutional guarantee must be vigorously protected for opposition political figures seeking to connect with citizens, warning that allowing partisan enforcers to restrict access to any territory creates a dangerous precedent that invites political anarchy.

Kwankwaso urged the Benue State Government to take immediate administrative and security responsibility for the breach by ensuring that the sponsors and foot soldiers behind the obstruction are swiftly identified and arraigned before the courts. He stressed that state authorities have an unavoidable obligation to provide adequate security coverage to guarantee the physical safety and unrestricted transit of Obi and his entourage.

Addressing the national leadership, Kwankwaso appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly by reining in state chief executives, specifically calling on governors elected under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from covertly or openly endorsing actions that shrink the civic space and endanger political rivals.

Kwankwaso further appealed to the international community, foreign diplomatic missions, and international election observation groups to take formal notice of the incident. He urged foreign observers to hold Nigerian authorities accountable to democratic norms and press for the safety and fair treatment of opposition political figures.

The Benue incident has triggered broader outrage among opposition platforms. The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, similarly condemned the confrontation, describing footage from the scene as evidence of unacceptable political brigandage and state-backed harassment designed to muzzle legitimate political assembly.