The OK Movement said it held back during the Obi Benue blockade to keep the peace, while insisting Peter Obi has a right to visit every state
Director-General of the OK Movement John Ughulu said the group’s security team did not strike back during the Obi Benue blockade because it chose discipline over a street fight.
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The OK Movement backs the Nigeria Democratic Congress ticket of Peter Gregory Obi and Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and draws people from the Obidient network, Kwankwasiyya, the New Nigeria People’s Party and the African Democratic Congress. John Ughulu condemned the disruption of the Benue visit and asked for an impartial inquiry.
Peter Gregory Obi was stopped on Tuesday 8 September 2026 on Gboko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport while travelling toward Yelewata to condole families after the June 2025 killings. Youths chanted that they did not want him. The convoy turned back to the airport.
Peter Gregory Obi blamed youths linked to a state government aide. The Benue State Government denied that charge and said protocol was not followed. Police said they had provided an escort and later paraded 46 suspects.
“We want to make one point absolutely clear concerning the conduct of the OK Movement Security Team. The fact that our security personnel exercised restraint in the face of provocation should never be interpreted as weakness, fear or lack of capacity,” John Ughulu said. “Our decision to restrain our people was a deliberate act of leadership and responsibility. Restraint is not weakness. Restraint is discipline.”
He said Peter Gregory Obi has a constitutional right to visit any part of Nigeria. “No state government, political party or individual has the authority to intimidate, harass or obstruct a legitimate political movement through violence or thuggery.”
He also warned that restraint would not be endless. “We will not tolerate a situation where such restraint is repeatedly tested or exploited. We will continue to act responsibly, but we will also take every lawful and necessary countermeasure available to us whenever the safety of our leaders and members is threatened.”
He asked security agencies to investigate without fear or favour and asked diplomats and election observers to note the incident as 2027 approaches.
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The statement is a political reading of a still-open police case. Who organised the crowd, and whether any official ordered it, has not been settled in court.
