Supporters of Peter Obi under the Obidient Movement are planning a major solidarity march in Benue State following the disruption of the NDC presidential candidate’s planned visit to Yelewata.
The group is expected to stage what organisers have described as a one-million-man march in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
According to information circulating about the planned demonstration, participants are expected to converge at the Wurukum Roundabout from 9am.
The proposed march comes days after Obi’s convoy was stopped by youths along the Makurdi-Gboko road while he was attempting to travel to Yelewata to sympathise with families affected by the deadly 2025 attacks.
How the Benue Controversy Started
Obi had arrived in Benue as part of a planned solidarity visit to victims and families affected by the killings in Yelewata.
However, his convoy encountered a roadblock reportedly mounted by youths who prevented him from proceeding to the community.
Obi subsequently accused individuals he described as thugs of deliberately stopping his movement.
The NDC candidate said he was informed that youths had been mobilised to prevent him from reaching Yelewata, adding that he chose not to force his way through in order to avoid further escalation.
The Benue State Government, however, denied involvement in the incident and rejected allegations linking Governor Hyacinth Alia or his officials to the blockade.
Police Investigate Incident
The incident has also drawn the attention of security authorities.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that it had been informed of Obi’s visit and had deployed officers to provide security for his movement.
The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, later said the command was investigating why youths blocked the convoy.
The police have since arrested dozens of people allegedly connected to the incident, further escalating public interest in the controversy.
Obidient Movement Plans Show of Strength
The proposed march now provides Obi’s supporters with an opportunity to turn the controversy into a political mobilisation exercise.
The planned demonstration is being presented by supporters as a show of solidarity with Obi and a statement against what they regard as political intimidation.
The movement has previously organised large-scale demonstrations in support of Obi, including one-million-man marches in different parts of Nigeria.
The latest mobilisation comes at a politically sensitive period, with parties and presidential contenders intensifying activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
The proposed Benue march is therefore likely to attract significant political attention, particularly because it follows an incident that has already generated accusations and counter-accusations between Obi’s camp and the Benue State Government.
A Wider Political Test
The controversy has also raised questions about political tolerance ahead of the 2027 elections.
While Obi’s supporters have demanded accountability over the blockade, the Benue Government has maintained that it had nothing to do with the incident.
With the police investigation continuing, the planned march could become another major political event in the state.
The identities and motives of all those responsible for the blockade remain a subject of investigation.