The political fallout from the blockade of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi's convoy in Benue State deepened as police arrested 46 suspects.
DailyVista247 gathered that the arrest is coming amid mounting demands for investigation to unmask organisers and financiers of the incident.
Former deputy Senate president and NDC candidate for Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, and party's deputy governorship candidate in Cross River State, Stella Archibong, demanded full investigation, while Allied Peoples Movement, APM, presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, accused ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of being behind incident.
The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum, PYF, also joined outrage, demanding public apology from Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, while state's three major socio cultural groups, Mdzough U Tiv, MUT, Ochetoha K'Idoma and Omi Ny'Igede, condemned obstruction and warned against inflaming political tensions.
The police, however, have not linked 46 suspects arrested to APC, Benue State Government or any political organisation, while state government has denied involvement in blockade.
Obi's convoy was obstructed on Tuesday while he was travelling to Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with survivors and families affected by June 2025 massacre in community.
The attack, which occurred between June 13 and 14, 2025, left scores of people dead and thousands displaced.
The blockade forced security personnel accompanying Obi to abandon journey and escort him back to airport after police concluded that attempting to force convoy through could trigger violence and possible loss of lives.
Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who announced arrests, said command was formally notified of Obi's visit at about 5.30 p.m. on Monday, September 7, and consequently deployed three police escort vehicles and personnel led by Assistant Commissioner of Police.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Obi's movement was obstructed by group of persons, creating tension and situation that could have degenerated into violence.
"At that point, the Police took professional and tactical decision to avoid escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. Mr. Obi was subsequently safely escorted back to airport and departed state peacefully," Nwadiogbu said.
He said decision not to force convoy through should not be interpreted as police inaction, adding that intelligence led operations commenced immediately and resulted in arrest of 46 suspects.
More suspects, including persons believed to have played key roles in incident, were being sought.
Nwadiogbu warned that no individual or group had right to prevent Nigerians from exercising constitutional freedom of movement.
"Every Nigerian has right to freedom of movement, irrespective of political affiliation, status or personal belief. No individual or group has right to unlawfully obstruct another person's movement," he said.
Makinde, who is contesting 2027 presidential election on APM platform, alleged that obstruction by suspected state sponsored thugs represented new low in attempts to stifle opposition.
In statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, Makinde said it marks new low in ruling All Progressives Congress desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of 2027 general elections.
He also challenged Benue State Government's reported position that Obi failed to obtain prior permission before visiting state, insisting that Nigerians did not require state government's permission to exercise constitutional freedom of movement.
"Setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in constitutional democracy," he said.
Makinde provided no evidence linking APC to those arrested, and police have so far announced no such connection.
The Benue State Government has also denied involvement, rejecting allegations that those who blocked Obi were acting on its behalf.
Omo-Agege described obstruction as national disgrace, demanding that investigators go beyond those physically involved to establish who organised and financed blockade and who gave instructions.
"There must be no cover up, political protection, or convenient silence," he said.
"What kind of politics has Nigeria descended into when even mourning the dead requires political permission?"
Omo-Agege insisted that Yelwata tragedy belonged to no political party.
"Yelwata's tragedy is not property of APC, PDP, Labour Party or NDC. The dead belong to Nigeria, and their families belong to all of us."
He argued that even if Obi had travelled to Yelwata to campaign, his constitutional rights to freedom of movement and association should have been respected.
"No one should need party card to mourn with bereaved," he said.
Archibong also condemned blockade as unfortunate and unbecoming of democratic society, and demanded urgent investigation.
"Security agencies and relevant authorities should urgently investigate this incident and bring perpetrators to justice," she said in Calabar.
She called for calm, expressed solidarity with Obi and wished him continued safety.
The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum described obstruction as abuse of power and demanded immediate public apology from Alia.
Its National Coordinator, Clifford Obinwanne Chukwuonye, said political differences could not justify infringement on citizens' constitutional rights.
"We should respect rule of law and we must respect each other's fundamental rights, as enshrined in Nigerian Constitution," he said.
Chukwuonye alleged that incident represented abuse of power and called on governor to apologise to Nigerians.
The group warned that controversy could send dangerous signal ahead of 2027 elections if political rivalry was allowed to interfere with freedom of movement and association.
"Today is Mr. Peter Obi; tomorrow it could be anybody. Power is transient, but your deeds will certainly speak good or bad of you," Chukwuonye said.
It also cautioned youths against allowing politicians to recruit them for violence and intimidation during election season.
Chairman of Benue's three major socio cultural organisations, Air Commodore Agbecha Titus retired, described incident as deeply troubling.
"We condemn any act that obstructs leaders, dignitaries, or citizens from offering comfort and solidarity to grieving communities," he said.
Agbecha warned against allowing actions of few individuals to portray Benue as hostile to visitors.
"Benue is known for hospitality and dignity. We cannot allow isolated actions to define us or to be used to paint our state as hostile to peace and dialogue."
He urged residents to channel grievances through dialogue and warned youths against allowing themselves to be manipulated. "The blood already shed in Benue is too much."
The groups called on security agencies to protect citizens and visitors, particularly those undertaking humanitarian and solidarity visits, and pledged to engage youth leaders and other stakeholders to prevent recurrence.
With 46 suspects now in police custody and more being sought, attention has shifted beyond those who allegedly physically blocked convoy to questions raised by Omo-Agege and others, who organised blockade, who financed it, what was motive and was there any political sponsorship?
