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JUST IN: Tension in Benue as Suspected Thugs Attack Peter Obi’s Convoy, Block Access

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JUST IN: Tension in Benue as Suspected Thugs Attack Peter Obi's Convoy, Block Access

Tension in Benue as Suspected Thugs Attack Peter Obi’s Convoy, Block Access

There was tension in Benue State on Tuesday after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), blocking a major road in an attempt to prevent him from entering the state.

The incident occurred shortly after Obi and his entourage arrived in Benue State. Esther Umoh, Obi’s campaign photographer and official documentarian, disclosed the development in a post on X accompanied by videos of the incident. According to Umoh, the suspected thugs blocked Boko Road near the Air Force Base, allegedly in a bid to stop the former Anambra State governor from gaining access into the state. “We have just arrived in Benue State, where alleged sponsored thugs have blocked Boko Road by the Air Force Base, attempting to prevent Peter Obi from gaining access into the state,” she wrote. In a second post, Umoh shared videos of the incident with the caption, “This is madness”.

In one of the videos shared by Umoh, Obi’s convoy could be seen turning back as a group of men carrying what appeared to be clubs, stones, sticks and other objects pursued the vehicles. The men were also seen throwing objects towards the convoy as it attempted to leave the area. Another video showed a detachment of policemen positioned between the convoy and the group. However, the suspected thugs appeared to breach the police line and continued pursuing the convoy, forcing the convoy to turn and leave the area. Reports have linked the alleged obstruction to suspected All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, although the claim has not been independently verified. Some of Obi’s supporters have also accused Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of involvement in the incident, a claim that also remains unsubstantiated.

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Despite the disruption, Obi told News Central TV that the roadblock would not deter him from continuing his nationwide political engagements. He insisted that he would continue taking his campaign message across the country regardless of such incidents. The incident comes shortly after Obi visited parts of Benue State during a wider political tour across Kogi, Benue and Enugu states. He had reportedly stopped in Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, where he interacted with residents and traders, who raised concerns over insecurity, unemployment, healthcare and education. He also urged supporters to participate actively in the democratic process and protect their votes ahead of the 2027 elections.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Government and the police had yet to publicly react to the latest allegations. The NDC had also not issued an official statement on the development. The alleged attack comes amid heightened security concerns in Benue, where several communities have suffered killings, abductions and destruction of property in recent months. In August 2026, Obi visited Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju communities where recent attacks left several people dead, missing and injured. During that visit, he described the attacks as a national security emergency and called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property. The latest incident has raised fresh concerns about political violence and freedom of movement ahead of the 2027 general elections. Security agencies are expected to clarify what happened on the Airport-Boko Road and determine whether any individuals were involved in an attempt to prevent Obi from entering Benue State.

Tension in Benue as Suspected Thugs Attack Peter Obi’s Convoy, Block Access

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Why Did Peter Obi Attend Seyi Makinde’s Campaign Launch? Here’s What He Said

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September 8, 2026

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Why Did Peter Obi Attend Seyi Makinde’s Campaign Launch? Here’s What He Said

Peter Obi’s appearance at Seyi Makinde’s campaign-office commissioning in Abuja has raised questions about the relationship between the two opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), attended the event on Monday alongside Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

His presence at a rival party’s campaign event was enough to attract attention, particularly at a time when opposition parties are exploring ways to work together ahead of the elections.

But Obi’s message at the event was less about party rivalry and more about the need for cooperation.

‘Politics Without Bitterness’

In his goodwill message, Obi said belonging to different political parties should not make politicians enemies. He described his attendance as a demonstration that opposition parties could work together toward a better Nigeria.

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“Politics without bitterness” was the central theme of his message, as he called for political contests to be driven by ideas rather than hostility.

Obi also congratulated Makinde, Mohammed and the APM leadership on the opening of the campaign office.

What Does This Mean for 2027?

The appearance comes as opposition parties continue to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde, who is also the Governor of Oyo State, has emerged as one of the prominent figures in the opposition camp. His campaign is being built around the “Reset Nigeria” agenda, while Obi remains a major opposition figure following his 2023 presidential campaign.

Although Obi’s attendance does not, by itself, establish a political alliance, it adds to the growing conversation about cooperation among opposition leaders.

For now, the message from Obi is clear: political differences should not prevent leaders from working together.

Whether that spirit of cooperation will translate into a formal electoral arrangement remains to be seen.

 

Why Did Peter Obi Attend Seyi Makinde’s Campaign Launch? Here’s What He Said

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Okonkwo Mocks Obi Over Attendance at Makinde’s APM Campaign Office Launch

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September 8, 2026

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Okonkwo Mocks Obi Over Attendance at Makinde's APM Campaign Office Launch
Kenneth Okonkwo and Peter Obi

Okonkwo Mocks Obi Over Attendance at Makinde’s APM Campaign Office Launch

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has taken a swipe at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), over his attendance at the inauguration of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja.

Okonkwo made the remarks during an interview with News Central while explaining why the ADC was not represented at the event held on Monday. He stated that the inauguration was primarily an Allied Peoples Movement (APM) affair and therefore did not require the participation of ADC leaders. “As far as I’m concerned, that is an APM affair and it should be attributed to APM,” he said. The ADC chieftain appeared to mock Obi and other politicians who attended the gathering, describing them as individuals who would show up at virtually any event once invited. “Those people that were there — even if you had invited them for naming ceremony or birthday party — they are known for people who like to wave to people,” he said. “Even if there’s no crowd, they will still be waving to trees. It’s just normal for them. If you’re doing anything and you call them they will come”.

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Speaking at the APM event in Abuja’s Wuse II district, Obi described Makinde as qualified to seek the presidency in 2027, calling him his “dear brother”. “We have a candidate, who is contesting for president today, my dear brother, Seyi Makinde. Number one is, is he qualified to be president? Yes. He’s qualified. Yes. Yes,” Obi said. The former Anambra State governor, known for attending political events across party lines throughout his career, said Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges demanded a different kind of politics. “What we are doing today is to show you that, for us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice. Whoever they choose, all of us will come together to build a new Nigeria,” Obi said. “We can’t all continue the way we are going today. Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure. Whoever wins, genuinely, from a free, fair and credible election, we all want to work together to save this country from collapse,” Obi said. Obi called for an end to confrontational politics, urging that political disagreements should focus on solving the problems facing ordinary Nigerians rather than personal quarrels. “We don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people. Let our quarrel be to pull our people out of poverty,” he said. He also expressed hope for a Nigeria where citizens could succeed regardless of their background or connections, saying: “We want a Nigeria where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody”.

The event, which also featured Bauchi State Governor and APM National Leader Bala Mohammed, underscored the growing political consultations and alignments ahead of the 2027 general election. The campaign office, located in Wuse II, Abuja, will serve as the national coordinating centre for the Makinde-Daura presidential campaign. Mohammed warned rival political parties against dismissing the electoral strength of the APM and its presidential candidate. “Whoever disregards us is at his own peril, we are here to reset Nigeria and we are bringing in one of the best human capitals that Nigeria has ever produced at the sub-national and national level, that is Makinde,” Mohammed said. Makinde, who is contesting on the APM platform alongside vice-presidential candidate Lawal Daura, used the occasion to present his “Reset Nigeria” agenda and call for greater transparency in the management of the country’s resources. He dismissed suggestions that his presidential ambition should not be taken seriously, recalling similar predictions made before he became governor of Oyo State.

Okonkwo’s criticism comes against the backdrop of a strained relationship between himself and Obi. The Nollywood veteran-turned-politician had previously served as a spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign but later publicly withdrew his support. He has since revealed that he no longer believed Obi possessed the leadership qualities required to govern Nigeria. The rift deepened when Obi filed an N8 billion defamation lawsuit against Okonkwo in June 2026 over remarks the ADC chieftain made during a television interview. Obi is seeking N5 billion in general damages, N2 billion in aggravated damages, and N1 billion in exemplary damages, along with orders for a retraction and apology. In July 2026, Okonkwo was appointed as the official spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign under the ADC platform. His appointment was welcomed by ADC support groups who described it as recognition of his contributions to national development.

Okonkwo Mocks Obi Over Attendance at Makinde’s APM Campaign Office Launch

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Buhari’s Govt Was Weakened by Sycophants Who Betrayed His Trust, Says Ex-DSS Boss

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September 8, 2026

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Buhari's Govt Was Weakened by Sycophants Who Betrayed His Trust, Says Ex-DSS Boss
Late Former President Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari’s Govt Was Weakened by Sycophants Who Betrayed His Trust, Says Ex-DSS Boss

ABUJA — Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and current vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) , Lawal Daura, has accused aides of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of surrounding him with sycophants who betrayed his trust and weakened his administration.

In a candid interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today aired Monday, Daura offered rare insights into the inner workings of Buhari’s administration from his vantage point as the country’s intelligence chief from 2015 until his dismissal in 2018.

Daura pushed back against critics who describe Buhari’s eight-year tenure as Nigeria’s worst, urging “real students of history” to examine the country’s political trajectory between 1995 and 2023 before reaching such conclusions. “Yes, they can say it, but I also want them, the real students of history, to go back from 1995 to 2023, when he exited, and find out which were the worst years. I wasn’t part of the government then,” Daura said.

The former DSS chief maintained that he remained loyal to Buhari throughout his tenure, stating that he stood by him and protected that government. He lamented that everything started to give way after 2018 since he left office, suggesting his departure marked a turning point in the administration’s fortunes. Daura claimed he “took bullets” for the late former president, underscoring his commitment to protecting the administration during his time in office.

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Daura alleged that Buhari was surrounded by individuals who deceived him and betrayed the trust he gave them, taking advantage of the administration. According to him, these individuals did not necessarily mislead the president but instead betrayed the confidence he reposed in them. “I know the details of what they have done,” Daura said, though he declined to name names.

Daura dismissed the popular narrative that he was part of a powerful cabal that wielded influence around Buhari. “No, there is no cabal,” Daura insisted. “Even if there was a cabal, the intelligence chief of a country can never be part of a cabal because the schedule I handled made it necessary for me to be close to the president at all times. And if that closeness is interpreted to mean being part of a cabal, that is a different thing,” he explained.

During the interview, Daura was also questioned about his controversial decision to shut the gates of the National Assembly during Buhari’s administration. He stated that he had no regrets over the action and did not require approval from either the president or acting president to take what he considered necessary security measures. “I don’t need any authority. That has nothing to do with it. I don’t need his permission. I don’t need the permission of the president to do what I think should be done,” Daura said.

Drawing lessons from Buhari’s administration, Daura stressed the need to separate personal relationships and loyalty from competence when making public appointments. He argued that friendship or association with a political leader should not automatically qualify an individual for public office, particularly sensitive positions requiring competence and integrity. “Even if you are to do that, you must also weigh the quality of that person and then maybe place him in an office that befits him or is proportionate to maybe the level of trust you have in that person,” he said. “But in that situation, an unfortunate situation, I would say, it so happened that people were just, you know, trusted,” Daura added.

Daura is currently the vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. Speaking on the upcoming election, Daura declared that President Bola Tinubu is “beatable,” claiming the current administration has made “so many errors.” He described Tinubu as a “very amiable person” and a friend but argued that political status does not make anyone immune from defeat. Daura said the APM ticket offers Nigerians a fresh approach to governance, with the party’s motto being to “reset this country.” He identified Makinde’s ability to connect with both younger and older generations as a key advantage, describing the governor as someone who belongs to both the digital and analogue ages. He pledged to be a “very loyal” vice-president to Makinde, with any disagreements between them based on policy and issues rather than personal differences.

Buhari’s Govt Was Weakened by Sycophants Who Betrayed His Trust, Says Ex-DSS Boss

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