The Obidient Movement has accused Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, of allegedly using thugs to block roads in Makurdi and disrupt the activities of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The group made the allegation in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media and Communications Directorate, following an incident in which it claimed that suspected thugs barricaded the Gboko Road near the Makurdi Airport, causing a traffic gridlock.
According to the movement, the incident was part of a deliberate attempt to frustrate Obi’s engagements in the state.
The group alleged that the latest incident was not isolated, recalling that Alia had previously warned that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without state permission, which it said forced an earlier visit by the former Anambra State governor to be cancelled.
It further alleged that the latest blockade around the Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport indicated a pattern of obstruction allegedly targeted at Obi.
The movement questioned the governor’s handling of security in the state, asking, “Is Governor Hyacinth Alia playing political games with the very security apparatus of Benue State while innocent citizens suffer daily violence?”
The group also criticised Alia, a former Catholic priest, over what it described as his alleged involvement in political thuggery.
It said the governor’s alleged conduct was “a stain on the sacred collar he once wore,” describing it as “a tragic collapse of moral leadership.”
The Obidient Movement insisted that Benue State belonged to its people and that the governor had no authority to restrict Obi’s movement.
“Governor Alia does not own Benue State. Benue belongs strictly to its people, not to a temporary occupant of the Executive Mansion,” it said.
The group also argued that Obi, as a Nigerian citizen and former presidential candidate, had the constitutional right to travel and engage with citizens across the country without seeking permission from any governor.
Drawing comparisons with Edo State, the movement alleged that some All Progressives Congress governors, including Alia and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, were taking actions against Obi in an attempt to curry favour with President Bola Tinubu.
It warned that such actions could have political consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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,” the statement said.
The group also challenged Tinubu to confront Obi politically rather than through alleged intimidation.
“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,” it said.
The Obidient Movement called for an immediate end to what it described as threats, highway thuggery and coordinated efforts to frustrate Obi’s activities in Benue.
It urged Alia to address any political grievances openly, rather than through the alleged use of force.
“Using armed thugs to block public roads is not leadership; it is pure, unadulterated political panic,” the group said.
The statement was signed by the Media and Communications Directorate of the Obidient Movement.
