The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu to take over the investigation into the obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State.
SERAP made the call in a statement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, following Tuesday’s incident in Makurdi.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was travelling along the Makurdi-Gboko Road towards Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area when youths reportedly stopped his convoy near the Nigerian Air Force Base.
He was visiting families affected by the deadly June 2025 Yelwata attacks.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident and commenced an investigation.
While Obi and the NDC alleged political mobilisation behind the blockade, the Benue State Government denied involvement.
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SERAP wants the police to establish what happened, identify those responsible and determine whether any political actors or public officials were involved. It said anyone found culpable should be prosecuted where evidence supports the case.
The organisation warned that intimidation of political actors could undermine civic participation and confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also urged political parties, candidates, supporters and public officials to shun violence and inflammatory conduct and respect citizens’ political and civil liberties.
The incident echoes a separate controversy in April 2025, when Obi’s planned visit to internally displaced persons in Benue was disrupted amid security and protocol concerns.
The latest episode also comes against the backdrop of the June 2025 Yelwata massacre, which claimed about 150 lives and subsequently led to terrorism-related charges against nine suspects.
SERAP urged Tinubu to ensure that the investigation establishes the facts and that anyone found responsible faces the law.