The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State, urging the media to avoid partisan narratives when reporting political confrontations.
In a statement sent to journalists on Wednesday, Keyamo said political candidates should be allowed to move freely and conduct their campaigns without intimidation, violence or unnecessary interference.
Obi was reportedly stopped by a group of youths while attempting to proceed to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where he had planned to visit families affected by the deadly attack on the community in June 2025.
The incident has sparked controversy, with Obi and his party alleging that the protesters were sponsored. The Benue State Government, however, denied involvement and stated that it was unaware of Obi’s planned visit.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s movement and had provided security for the visit. However, the police said the reason for the youths’ action was unclear and that investigations were ongoing.
The NDC had described the incident as unacceptable, alleging that suspected hired thugs obstructed Obi’s convoy and prevented him from reaching Yelwata, where he intended to commiserate with families affected by the killings.
Reacting to the development, Keyamo said the incident deserved condemnation regardless of the political affiliation of those responsible.
“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,” he said.
The minister maintained that it should not matter whether the protest resulted from internal disagreements within the NDC, as suggested by the Benue State Government, or whether it was allegedly sponsored by the APC or another opposition party.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC (as posited by the Benue State Government) or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” Keyamo said.
He also dismissed the argument that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata might have been politically motivated, stressing that such allegations should not be used as justification to restrict his movement.
“Some have also accused Obi of attempting to whip up fresh emotions by attempting to visit Yelwata, where the unfortunate killings happened more than a year ago, just for political reasons, hence 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.
The June 2025 Yelwata attack was among the deadliest incidents recorded in Benue in recent years, with reports putting the death toll at over 100. The community has since become a symbol of the insecurity affecting several parts of the state.
Keyamo, however, said the incident had also highlighted what he described as a double standard in the way sections of the media report political confrontations involving members of different political parties.
“There is no better time to draw the attention of Nigerians and the world to the spin that the partisan section of the media usually puts on such incidents,” he said.
According to the minister, confrontations involving APC politicians are sometimes portrayed as signs of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition figures are described as attacks allegedly carried out by sponsored thugs.
“Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’. When it concerns the opposition, then it is an ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’,” he said.
Keyamo argued that journalists and media organisations should apply consistent standards when reporting political incidents, irrespective of the party or candidate involved.
“This is what is unacceptable. In fact, many opposition leaders openly boast that the APC candidates cannot go to some parts of this country and shout ‘APC!’ without being ‘stoned’, ‘beaten’ or molested, yet the partisan Press does not call out such leaders and even helps to accentuate such statements,” he said.
“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,” the minister added.
Keyamo urged Nigerians to express their political disagreements through democratic means rather than violence, noting that elections provide voters with an opportunity to reject candidates peacefully.
“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” he said.
