The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Benue State, urging the media to adopt impartial standards when reporting political confrontations.
Keyamo, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said politicians should be allowed to move freely, campaign and engage with citizens without intimidation, threats or violence, regardless of their political affiliations.
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 political controversy, with Obi and his party alleging that the protesters were sponsored, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it was unaware of the former Anambra State governor’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 the youths blocked his convoy was unclear and that an investigation was underway.
The NDC described the incident as unacceptable, alleging that suspected hired thugs blocked Obi’s convoy and prevented him from reaching Yelwata, where he had gone to sympathise with families affected by the killings.
Reacting to the development, Keyamo said the incident deserved condemnation regardless of the political identity of those behind the protest.
“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 said it should make no difference whether the incident resulted from internal disagreements within the NDC, as suggested by the Benue State Government, or whether it was allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives Congress or another opposition party.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC 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 proposed visit to Yelwata may have been politically motivated, maintaining that even a politically motivated visit should not be met with intimidation or obstruction.
“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,” the minister said.
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According to Keyamo, political candidates should be free to travel to communities, meet citizens and campaign without interference, provided they operate within the law.
The June 2025 attack in Yelwata was among the deadliest episodes of violence recorded in Benue in recent years, with reports putting the death toll at more than 100 people.
The community has since become a symbol of the insecurity confronting several parts of Benue, where residents and communities have repeatedly called for stronger protection against attacks.
Beyond the immediate incident, Keyamo used the controversy to criticise what he described as partisan reporting of political confrontations by sections of the Nigerian media.
“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.
The minister alleged that confrontations involving candidates of the APC were sometimes portrayed by partisan media outlets as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition politicians were framed as attacks 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’,” Keyamo said.
He argued that the media should apply consistent standards when covering political activities and avoid allowing partisan interests to influence the description or interpretation of events.
Keyamo also criticised political leaders who, according to him, openly encourage hostility towards candidates from rival parties.
He maintained that political disagreements should be settled through democratic processes rather than physical confrontation, intimidation or violence.
“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,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians who oppose particular candidates or political parties to express their preferences peacefully at the polls rather than through violent actions during campaigns.
“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,” Keyamo said.
His comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties and their candidates increasingly engaging communities and seeking to consolidate support across the country.