By Sandra Kenneth
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has strongly condemned the recent blockade of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Benue State, while urging the media to maintain neutrality when reporting political confrontations.
Obi’s convoy was recently intercepted by a group of youths while traveling to Yelwata in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The former governor was scheduled to visit families affected by a June 2025 attack that left over 100 residents dead.
The NDC & Peter Obi: Alleged the protesters were hired thugs sponsored by political opponents to halt the visit.
Benue State Government denied involvement, stating it was unaware of the visit and suggesting the protest stemmed from internal NDC squabbles.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Keyamo insisted that political figures must be allowed to travel and campaign without fear of intimidation, regardless of party affiliations.
He rejected claims that Obi’s visit was politically motivated to whip up public sentiment, stating that such reasoning cannot justify democratic interference.
“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. Everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” Keyamo stated.
Keyamo also criticized sections of the press for applying double standards to political confrontations.
He argued that when angry crowds confront ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, media outlets often frame the incident as “public rejection.” However, similar actions against opposition figures are routinely reported as attacks by “sponsored thugs.”
He urged journalists to remain objective and called on voters to express their political grievances at the ballot box rather than through violent disruption.
