Keyamo Condemns Obi’s Benue Blockade, Urges Media Neutrality

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State.

Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday, said politicians should be allowed to move freely and campaign without intimidation or violence.

Obi was reportedly prevented by youths from proceeding to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where he planned to visit families affected by the June 2025 attack in the community.

The incident has generated controversy, with Obi and his party alleging that the protesters were sponsored, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it was unaware of the visit.

The Benue Police Command confirmed it was aware of Obi’s movement and had provided security for the visit, but said the reason for the blockade remained unknown and was under investigation.

Keyamo said the incident should be condemned regardless of the political affiliation of those responsible.

He also rejected the argument that Obi’s planned visit could have been politically motivated, saying that even such a consideration could not justify preventing him from accessing the community.

The minister urged the media to apply the same standards when reporting confrontations involving candidates of different political parties.

Keyamo alleged that some sections of the media sometimes describe confrontations involving APC candidates as public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition politicians are reported as attacks by sponsored thugs.

He called for greater media neutrality and fairness in political reporting, stressing that political grievances should be expressed through democratic processes.

Keyamo urged Nigerians who oppose any candidate to use their votes to express their views during elections rather than resorting to violence or intimidation during campaigns.