By Attah Ede
Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has called for full scale investigation into the blockade of the convoy of former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday.
He said the Nigerian Police should immediately commence a full-scale investigation into the incident and bring the culprits to book, in the overall interest of democracy in Nigeria.
The former governor of Anambra State, had came into the state and was heading to Yelwata, in Guma LGA of the State to sympathize with families of victims of the June 2025 herdsmen attacks which led to the death of over 200 people when he was blocked and denied access to the State capital.
Obi’s convoy ran into a full roadblock on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway by the angry youths, who said he can’t have access to the State and should go back.
and marks a new low in the desperation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections”, the statement read in part.
Makinde said the blockade was “ldeeply disturbing, totally unacceptable, and unwarranted, saying that it came barely 24 hours after Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7th 2026.
Makinde referenced Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution that guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the freedom to move around the country or reside in any part thereof.
He stressed that Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely assemble and associate.
“We therefore find it completely unacceptable and condemnable, the statement credited to the Benue State Government, that the NDC Presidential Candidate did not seek prior permission from the state government before his visit.
“Let us make it clear: every Nigerian, whether presidential candidate or not, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct his or her legitimate activity without any prior permission or notice”.
Makinde stated that setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy.
