Idris Zekeri Jrn alleges same individual was seen at Alia-linked gathering and later among youths involved in disruption of Obi’s visit
MAKURDI — A fresh controversy has emerged over the disruption of Peter Obi’s visit to Benue State after a spokesman for the former Anambra State governor shared photographs and made allegations linking an individual seen at a political gathering to youths who blocked Obi’s convoy.
Idris Zekeri Jrn., a spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Office, alleged that one of the individuals present at a political gathering in Benue State was also among the youths who obstructed Obi’s convoy during his attempted visit to Yelewata.
Zekeri made the allegation while sharing images purportedly showing the same man at different locations.
In the first image, an individual is highlighted among a group of people at what Zekeri described as a gathering of APC youths organised by Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
Another image shared by the spokesman purportedly shows the same individual standing among people gathered near the convoy and security personnel during the incident involving Obi’s visit.
According to Zekeri, the individual, identified in his post as “Paso,” was seen at the political gathering and was subsequently among youths who obstructed Obi’s movement.
“Yesterday, the disgraced Governor of Benue State, Mr. Hyacinth Alia, organised APC youths in the state capital. One of them is Paso, seen here at the rally and subsequently seen alongside other youths who attacked the convoy of Mr. Peter Obi,” Zekeri alleged.
However, IBN News could not independently verify the identity of the individual in the photographs or establish from the images alone that the person allegedly seen at the political gathering was among those who blocked Obi’s convoy.
The allegation comes amid an escalating political controversy surrounding the obstruction of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate during his visit to Benue on Tuesday.
Obi had travelled to the state with plans to visit Yelewata, where hundreds of people were killed during a deadly attack in 2025.
But his movement was disrupted after a group of youths blocked the Makurdi-Gboko Road, preventing his convoy from proceeding to the community.
Obi later said he had arrived in Benue for a humanitarian mission to sympathise with victims and families affected by the killings and not for political campaigning.
He said the convoy encountered youths chanting, “Peter Obi, go back,” forcing him and his team to abandon the journey.
The NDC subsequently condemned the incident and alleged that Obi’s movement was obstructed by suspected hired thugs. The party also alleged that the group was linked to an aide of Governor Alia.
But the Benue State Government has strongly denied any involvement in the incident.
In a statement issued through Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the state government described allegations linking the governor or his administration to the blockade as unfounded.
The government insisted that Governor Alia does not engage, patronise or deploy thugs and argued that Obi’s visit had not been formally communicated to the state government.
The Benue State Government also challenged those linking government officials or appointees to the incident to provide evidence.
The matter took another turn after reports emerged that the NDC had formally notified the Benue State Police Command of Obi’s planned visit before the incident.
A document reported by Premium Times showed that the NDC’s Benue State chapter wrote to the police on September 7, notifying the command that Obi would arrive in Makurdi the following day and proceed to Yelewata.
A police officer also reportedly confirmed that the command received the notification and provided security cover for the visit.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has arrested and paraded 46 suspects in connection with the obstruction and reported attack on Obi’s convoy.
The Benue Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said investigations were ongoing and that other key individuals connected to the incident were being traced.
The police chief warned against political intolerance as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
The incident has generated widespread reactions across Nigeria, with political figures and groups condemning the blockade.
Even the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said preventing a political opponent from moving freely should not be part of Nigeria’s democracy, regardless of disagreements over the circumstances surrounding the visit.
Keyamo, however, also cautioned against partisan interpretations of political violence and urged Nigerians to apply the same standards to attacks or harassment involving candidates from all political parties.
Zekeri’s latest allegation is likely to intensify pressure on authorities to establish exactly who organised the youths involved in the blockade and whether there was any political sponsorship.
For now, the photographs shared by the Peter Obi spokesman have added another layer to an already heated political dispute.
The key questions remain unanswered: Who mobilised the youths? Why was Obi’s convoy blocked? And were any political figures or government officials involved?
While Obi and his political allies have alleged political sponsorship, the Benue State Government has categorically denied any involvement.
With police investigations ongoing and dozens of suspects already arrested, the outcome of the investigation may determine whether the latest allegation against those linked to the Benue political establishment can be substantiated.
**IBN News will continue to monitor the investigation and report verified developments.**
