… Confirms APC’s Desperation to Silence Opposition Ahead of 2027
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has condemned the alleged obstruction of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State, describing the incident as evidence of growing desperation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to silence opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Suliamon Olanrewaju, described the alleged blockade of Obi’s convoy as “unwarranted,” “deeply disturbing” and “totally unacceptable.”
According to him, the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while Obi was travelling to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings recently recorded in the area.
The statement further reads “We strongly condemn the unwarranted obstruction of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
“The incident, in which Mr. Obi’s convoy was obstructed by a group of suspected state sponsored thugs on his way to Yelwata to visit families affected by the tragic killings in the area, is deeply disturbing, totally unacceptable, 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.”
“It is particularly worrisome that this targeted attack came barely 24 hours after Mr. Peter Obi joined other notable opposition leaders to show solidarity with our principal, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office on Monday, September 7th 2026.”
“Expectedly, the ruling APC, overburdened by the sad reality of marketing an unpopular President Tinubu to Nigerians, is seriously afraid and completely rattled by the latest political developments hence the resort to barbaric tactics, including intimidation, harassment and unlawful obstructing of legitimate activities of opposition parties and leaders.”
“Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the freedom to move around the country or reside in any part thereof.”
Also, 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.
Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy.
We therefore demand that the Nigerian Police immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book, in the overall interest of our democracy.
As a Campaign, we remain committed to a peaceful electoral process, but it is important to state that we shall not be deterred nor cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible.
