The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for a non-violent campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as tools by the ruling class that has created the poor economic conditions they now endure.

Obi made the call while addressing journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, shortly after youths suspected to be loyalists of one of the political parties mounted roadblocks on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, preventing him from travelling to Yelewata, where he was billed to meet and commiserate with victims of the June 2025 attacks.

The NDC presidential candidate arrived at the Makurdi Airport, located at the Tactical Air Command, as early as 8.00 am on Tuesday. He was welcomed by the NDC governorship candidate, Prof. Terhemba Shija, and other party officials amid jubilation and cultural dance performances.

However, trouble started a few metres from the airport when his convoy encountered a full roadblock mounted by angry youths on the two-lane Makurdi-Gboko federal highway.

The blockade caused traffic congestion as the road was closed to all users, while the police did little to disperse the youths from the highway.

Reacting to the development, Obi cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of violence by the very elite who created the poor conditions they now suffer.

“It is ridiculous. Our experience this morning is very, very worrisome. We arrived in Makurdi at 9 am, but on our way to the Yelewata community, to console and show solidarity with the families affected by the killings of over 270 persons in that community, and support them in any way I can, only to be blocked by thugs shouting, ‘Peter Obi, go back! Peter Obi, go back!’

“And I was wondering: are we still in Nigeria? Because, even with the campaign I have started, I should be able to move around freely. But we didn’t want to go on and cause confusion and possibly endanger the lives of other people, so I decided to remain as civil as possible.

“I am using this occasion to appeal to the security agencies, the IG of Police, and other agencies to please intervene and call the various state governors to order. I was a state governor myself. This rascality cannot be allowed. We are a country, and can we confront these people on our own if these people cannot provide us with security?

“We cannot go on this way. This is unacceptable,” Obi lamented.

The development followed a similar move last year, when the Benue State Government barred Obi from visiting internally displaced persons in the state without express approval.