Peter Obi
OpenLife News reports that 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress, presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was on Tuesday, September 2, 2026 reportedly prevented from entering parts of Benue State to visit and support Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, a move that has since sparked reactions online.
A video circulating on social media showed Obi and his team being stopped at a checkpoint by security operatives, with aides alleging that the directive came from *Governor Hyacinth Alia’s* office. In the clip, Obi could be heard asking why he was being denied access to IDP camps where he had planned to donate relief materials and meet with displaced families.
What Happened
According to members of Obi’s team, the visit to Benue was part of his continued humanitarian outreach to communities affected by insecurity and flooding across Nigeria. Benue has remained one of the states with the highest number of IDPs due to persistent herder-farmer clashes.
_“We were on our way to the IDP camp with food, medical supplies and other support. But we were blocked and told there was a directive from above that the visit should not hold,”_ one of his aides said in the video.
Obi, in the footage, appealed for calm and said his intention was purely humanitarian. _”This is not about politics. These are Nigerians who are suffering. I came to identify with them and offer support,”_ he said.
Reactions
The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters of Obi condemned the alleged blockage, describing it as “inhumane” and “politically motivated.”
_“How can a governor stop someone from bringing food to hungry IDPs? This is not about party,”_ a commenter wrote on X.
As of press time, the *Benue State Government* had not issued an official statement on the matter. Efforts to reach the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia for comment were unsuccessful.
Governor Alia’s administration has previously stated that it is working with federal agencies and humanitarian groups to manage IDP camps across the state.
Background
Peter Obi has made several visits to IDP camps and disaster-hit communities since the 2023 elections, often with donations and advocacy for better welfare for displaced persons.
The alleged blockage in Benue adds to ongoing conversations about access to humanitarian aid and political interference in relief efforts.
Watch the video below
The Benue State Government is yet to confirm or deny the allegation.
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