Obi’s Blocked Benue Visit, Media Bias Unacceptable — Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the disruption of Peter Obi’s visit to Benue State, describing the incident as unacceptable while also questioning what he called bias in media coverage of political events.

Keyamo said political disagreements should not degenerate into actions that prevent politicians from exercising their legitimate rights to move around the country and engage with citizens.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, was reportedly prevented from proceeding with a planned engagement in Benue after tensions emerged during his visit.

The incident generated reactions from political actors and supporters, with concerns raised over the growing level of political confrontation ahead of the 2027 general election.

Keyamo condemned what he described as an attempt to disrupt Obi’s activities, stressing that political competition should be conducted within the boundaries of democratic principles.

He also criticised sections of the media for what he considered selective reporting of incidents involving political figures.

According to the minister, the media should maintain fairness and provide balanced coverage regardless of the political affiliation of the individuals involved.

He argued that incidents involving opposition politicians should receive the same level of scrutiny and attention as similar developments involving members of the ruling party.

The comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties and political movements increasingly mobilising supporters across different parts of the country.

Obi remains one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s opposition politics and has continued to attract significant support since his presidential campaign in 2023.

The Benue incident has consequently attracted attention because of its potential implications for political freedom, public gatherings and the ability of opposition figures to campaign or hold engagements across the country.

Keyamo’s intervention adds to growing calls for political actors and their supporters to avoid confrontations that could undermine democratic participation.

With the 2027 election approaching, tensions among political groups are expected to increase as parties begin positioning themselves, forming alliances and mobilising voters.

The minister’s remarks underline the importance of allowing political candidates to conduct their activities peacefully while ensuring that the media reports political developments without favouritism.

The controversy is likely to fuel further debate about political tolerance, freedom of movement and media responsibility as Nigeria moves closer to another major electoral contest.