The Obidient Movement has accused Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of orchestrating efforts to prevent the 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, from carrying out political engagements in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media and Communications Directorate, the movement condemned what it described as a “state-backed attempt” to obstruct Obi’s movement in Benue, alleging that organised thugs barricaded Gboko Road near the Makurdi Airport to frustrate his visit.
The group claimed that the incident was the second attempt by the Alia administration to stop Obi from visiting the state, recalling an earlier warning by the governor that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without prior approval from the state government.
According to the movement, the alleged blockade caused major traffic disruption around the Makurdi Airport and Air Force Base areas, preventing Obi from freely carrying out his engagements.
The Obidient Movement challenged Governor Alia to explain what it termed a “systemic obsession” with stopping Obi’s movements, alleging that the governor was deploying political loyalists and non-state actors to intimidate political opponents.
It further questioned whether the governor’s alleged influence over such groups had any connection to the lingering insecurity in parts of Benue State.
“If Governor Alia commands a political militia capable of taking over major roads at a moment’s notice to target political opponents, then serious questions must be asked about the security situation in the state,” the statement said.
The movement described the alleged actions as inconsistent with democratic principles and condemned what it called the use of intimidation and political thuggery against opposition figures.
It also expressed disappointment that the allegations involved a governor who previously served as a Catholic priest, arguing that public office holders should promote peace, tolerance and respect for citizens’ rights.
The group maintained that Benue State belongs to all Nigerians and that Obi, as a Nigerian citizen, former governor and presidential candidate, has a constitutional right to travel and interact with citizens anywhere in the country without restrictions.
The statement also accused some governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of targeting Obi in a bid to curry favour with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
It warned against the use of political intimidation, state institutions or violence to undermine democratic participation, insisting that electoral contests should be decided by voters at the ballot box.
The Obidient Movement called for an immediate end to what it described as threats, harassment and orchestrated efforts to frustrate Obi’s political activities, urging Governor Alia to address any political disagreements through democratic means rather than through alleged acts of intimidation.
The Benue State Government had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
