Benue Police: Arrest 46 Obi Convoy Blockers for Obstruction

• The Benue State Police Command arrested 46 individuals following the obstruction of Peter Obi's convoy on a Tuesday.
• Police Commissioner Cletus Nwadiogbu stated the initial police response was a tactical decision to prevent escalation and ensure Obi's safe departure.
• The Allied People's Movement campaign condemned the incident, citing violations of constitutional rights to freedom of movement (Section 41) and assembly (Section 40) under the 1999 Constitution.
• A faction of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State called for Governor Hyacinth Alia to apologize to Peter Obi, President Bola Tinubu, and others for the incident.
• Both political groups urged a full police investigation to hold those responsible accountable for the Peter Obi Benue convoy obstruction.

Every Nigerian, presidential candidate or otherwise, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live, and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct legitimate activities without prior permission or notice.

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 46 individuals in connection with the obstruction of the convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party. The incident, which saw Obi's movement blocked by a group of persons, occurred on a Tuesday, prompting a swift response from law enforcement authorities.

Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu addressed the media in Makurdi on Wednesday, detailing the police's actions. He explained that officers deployed for the former Anambra State governor's visit made a professional and tactical decision to prevent a potential escalation that could have led to fatalities and property damage. This strategic approach, according to the Commissioner, should not be misconstrued as inaction.

Following the obstruction, Mr. Obi was safely escorted back to the airport and subsequently departed the state without further incident. The Benue State Police Command has initiated intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying all those responsible for the blockade. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend any additional individuals connected to the Peter Obi Benue convoy obstruction.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with various political entities highlighting the constitutional rights at stake. The campaign team for Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied People's Movement (APM), described the blockade as deeply disturbing and unacceptable. In a statement signed by Anthony Ehilebo, Makinde's Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, the team specifically referenced the obstruction of Obi's convoy on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as he was en route to Yelwata to meet families affected by tragic killings in the area.

The APM campaign emphasized that every Nigerian citizen possesses a constitutional right to freedom of movement and assembly. They cited Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to move freely throughout the country and reside in any part thereof. Furthermore, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution ensures every citizen's right to freely assemble and associate. The team strongly criticized any suggestion from the Benue State Government that the NDC presidential candidate required prior permission for his visit, deeming such a stance completely unacceptable and contrary to democratic principles. They underscored that setting up roadblocks or deploying individuals to impede opposition candidates has no place in a constitutional democracy, highlighting the electoral violence Nigeria legal implications of such actions.

Beyond the APM, a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State also condemned the attack on Peter Obi's convoy. This faction, led by Austin Agada and loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, called upon Governor Hyacinth Alia to issue an apology. The apology, they stated, should be extended to Peter Obi, President Bola Tinubu, the people of Benue, and the APC party itself, given the incident's potential to tarnish the party's reputation.

Daniel Ihomun, the state publicity secretary for the factional APC group, asserted that such an 'ugly incident' is uncharacteristic of the Benue people, whom he described as inherently hospitable, peaceful, and respectful. He stressed that the actions witnessed were alien to the state's culture. Both the APM campaign and the APC faction have urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure that all culprits are brought to justice, reinforcing the importance of upholding democratic tenets and addressing instances of Benue Police arrest 46 Obi convoy blockers.

This incident highlights the enforcement of constitutional rights to freedom of movement and assembly (Sections 40, 41 of the 1999 Constitution) during political campaigns in Nigeria. Lawyers should advise political clients on these guaranteed rights and the potential legal liabilities for individuals or state actors involved in their obstruction.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers