The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, urging the media to maintain neutrality when covering political confrontations.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, was reportedly stopped by youths while attempting to travel to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to visit families affected by the deadly attack on the community in June 2025.
The incident has generated political controversy, with Obi and the NDC alleging that the youths were sponsored, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and maintained that it was unaware of the visit.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s movement and had deployed personnel to provide security. However, the police said the reason for the blockade remained unclear and that an investigation was underway.
Reacting to the incident, Keyamo said the reported prevention of Obi from reaching his destination should be condemned regardless of the political identity of those involved.
The minister said it should not matter whether the confrontation resulted from internal disagreements within the NDC, as suggested by the Benue State Government, or whether the protesters were allegedly sponsored by the APC or another political organisation.
According to Keyamo, neither scenario should be accepted as part of Nigeria’s democratic process.
He also rejected the argument that Obi’s visit to Yelwata might have been politically motivated.
Keyamo said even if the visit had political implications, that would not justify preventing a presidential candidate from moving freely or carrying out lawful political activities.
Obi had planned to visit Yelwata to sympathise with families affected by the 2025 attack, one of the deadliest incidents reported in Benue in recent years.
The former Anambra State governor has previously visited communities affected by insecurity and has repeatedly called for stronger measures to protect Nigerians.
His latest visit was disrupted when youths reportedly barricaded a section of Gboko Road in Makurdi and prevented his convoy from proceeding.
Obi and his party alleged that the protesters were hired thugs, while the state government rejected the allegation and said it had no connection to the incident.
The police subsequently confirmed that officers had been deployed for Obi’s movement and said investigations would determine why the youths blocked the convoy.
Beyond the incident itself, Keyamo used the controversy to criticise what he described as partisan reporting by sections of the Nigerian media.
He alleged that similar confrontations involving politicians from different parties were often presented differently depending on who was involved.
According to the minister, hostile crowds confronting APC politicians are sometimes described as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition figures are portrayed as attacks by sponsored thugs.
Keyamo said the media should apply consistent standards when reporting political confrontations.
He argued that political affiliation should not determine how an incident is characterised by journalists or media organisations.
The minister also criticised what he described as statements by some opposition politicians encouraging supporters to confront APC candidates in certain parts of the country.
He called for the media to avoid amplifying rhetoric that could contribute to political tension or violence.
Keyamo urged journalists and media organisations to treat all political parties and candidates fairly.
He said democratic reporting should not favour one political side while portraying another differently when similar incidents occur.
The minister maintained that the same standards should apply to both governing and opposition politicians.
His comments come as political parties increase their activities ahead of the 2027 general election and competition among major political actors intensifies.
READ MORE: Benue: Obi’s Visit Blocked As Youths Stop Convoy From Reaching Yelwata
The minister also called on Nigerians to express their dissatisfaction with political candidates through democratic means rather than violence.
According to Keyamo, voters have the opportunity to reject candidates through their ballots during elections.
He urged citizens who disagree with any politician or political party to demonstrate their opposition peacefully at the polls rather than resorting to attacks or physical obstruction during campaigns.
The minister’s comments followed a growing debate over political tolerance, freedom of movement and the conduct of political activities as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
