Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, condemned the blockade that stopped Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, from reaching Yelwata in Benue State. Keyamo issued the statement on Wednesday after reports of the incident.
Obi had planned to visit families affected by the June 2025 attack in the Guma Local Government Area community. However, a group of youths prevented his convoy from proceeding.
Keyamo said the incident must draw condemnation from all people of goodwill. He stated that the reason behind the protest did not matter.
“Yesterday’s report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill,” Keyamo said.
He added that whether the protest stemmed from internal squabbles within the NDC, as the Benue State Government suggested, or from sponsorship by the All Progressives Congress or another party, it had no place in democracy.
Some people accused Obi of seeking to stir emotions over the year-old killings for political gain. Keyamo rejected that argument as a basis for the blockade.
“That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” he said.
Keyamo then turned to media coverage of political confrontations. He argued that sections of the press applied different standards depending on the party involved.
He noted that when crowds confronted All Progressives Congress candidates, some outlets described it as rejection by Nigerians. In contrast, similar incidents involving opposition figures were labelled attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums.
“What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all,” Keyamo said.
He urged citizens to express anger at any candidate through the ballot paper on voting day rather than through violent acts during campaigns.
