The Obidient Movement has condemned the latest state-backed attempt to block presidential candidate Peter Obi's freedom of movement in Benue State.

The movement said that on Tuesday, September 8. 2026, organized thugs, acting under the alleged instructions of Governor Hyacinth Alla, barricaded Gboko Road near the Makurdi airport, bringing traffic to a standstill in a reckless effort to obstruct Obi's movement and prevent his ongoing engagements across the state.

"This is the second time Governor Alia's administration has actively moved to prevent Peter Obi from freely travelling through Benue. First came the governor's public threat that Obi's safety could not be guaranteed without state permission, forcing a cancelled visit..
"Now, organised thugs have barricaded major highways near the Air Force Base and Makurdi airport, deliberately gridlocking traffic to disrupt his movement," Obidients lamented.

The movement lamented that there is no longer any doubt about who deployed those thugs to the streets of Makurdi. It stated that if Governor Alia commands a political militia capable of taking over major roads at a moment's notice to target political opponents, a far more terrifying question emerges for the people of Benue State:

"Is Governor Hyacinth Alia playing political games with the very security apparatus of Benue State while innocent citizens suffer daily violence?

"If the Governor maintains an operational grip on violent non-state actors for political intimidation, he must tell the public whether this same political machinery is fueling the persistent insecurity plaguing Benue State. Sacrificing human lives and public safety on the altar of political sycophancy is a betrayal of the highest order.

"This descent into raw thuggery is particularly appalling coming from a man who once wore the sacred cassock of a Catholic Reverend Father. Having taken holy vows to protect the vulnerable, preach peace, and preserve human dignity, Hyacinth Alia's descent into brazen political thuggery and state-linked harassment is a stain on the sacred collar he once wore. To exchange spiritual shepherdhood for the role of a political thug-for-hire is a tragic collapse of moral leadership.

"This repeated weaponisation of state-linked intimidation tactics is an absolute disgrace to democratic governance. Governor Alla does not own Benue State. Benue belongs strictly to its people, not to a temporary occupant of the Executive Mansion.
Peter Obi is a lawful citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a former governor, and a presidential candidate supported by millions.

"He holds an unchallengeable constitutional right to travel, assemble, and engage with citizens anywhere across this country without seeking permission, clearance, or safe passage from anyone.

"The consistent attempt by APC governors like Alia and Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to be in Tinubu's good books by deploying criminal acts against Mr Peter Obi clearly shows that they do not know what time it is on the political clock. Nigerians are united in their verdict that the APC government at all levels has failed them and are determined to Vote APC out into oblivion in 2027.

"A government confident in its stewardship does not rely on highway thugs, manufactured airport scandals, or weaponised state institutions to subdue its primary opponent. If Bola Tinubu believes he can defeat Peter Obi, let him meet him at the ballot box. Not through thuggery. Not through intimidation. Not through abuse of power

"We demand an immediate end to the threats, the highway thuggery, and the orchestrated machinery meant to frustrate Peter Obi's activities. If Governor Alia harbours political grievances, let him voice them openly or face the electorate at the ballot box. Using armed thugs to block public roads is not leadership; it is pure, unadulterated political panic."

ASA