Okorie condemns blockade of Peter Obi’s Yelwata visit, warns of ‘dangerous’ political trend

The National Chairman of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, IAD, Chief Dr Chekwas Okorie, has condemned the reported obstruction of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, from visiting Yelwata community in Benue State, describing the incident as “one provocation taken too far.”

Obi was reportedly stopped on Tuesday, while travelling to Yelwata to commiserate with families affected by the deadly 2025 attack in the community. Obi said his convoy encountered youths who blocked the Makurdi-Gboko highway and chanted for him to turn back. 

However, the Benue State Government denied involvement in the incident, saying it neither authorised nor deployed anyone to obstruct Obi and disputing allegations that state officials were behind the blockade. 

In a statement on Thursday, Okorie recalled an open letter he addressed to President Bola Tinubu on March 12, titled, “Halt the Brewing Anarchy in Nigeria,” in which he warned against what he described as provocative rhetoric and actions capable of worsening tensions in the country.

Okorie said subsequent events, including the confrontation surrounding Obi’s movement in Benue, had reinforced his concerns.

He cited the 2025 warning by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, that Obi should not visit the state without security clearance.

Okpebholo had said Obi’s previous visit coincided with renewed violence in Edo, while the state government later clarified that the governor’s remarks were not intended as a threat. 

The IAD chairman also referred to alleged threats by individuals identified in his statement as Sunday Igboho and M.C. Olomo against opposition politicians campaigning in the South-West, as well as remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir concerning opposition to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

He further criticised remarks attributed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, concerning Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to Okorie, the developments reflected what he described as an increasingly hostile political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also expressed concern over reports of election-related violence in Osun State and alleged that some state governments were imposing high signage fees on opposition political parties, which he said had discouraged the display of campaign billboards.

Describing the Yelwata incident as “despicable and highly provocative,” Okorie said preventing Obi from visiting victims of the attack was dangerous and criticised what he called the silence of the Federal Government and National Assembly.

He urged Nigerians to condemn what he described as a growing trend of intimidation and political bullying, warning that electoral competition should not turn communities and states into “killing fields” over territorial control ahead of the 2027 elections.