The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said it will not immediately pursue legal action against the Benue State Government over the disruption of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s, visit to the state, insisting that the priority is a transparent investigation into the incident.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Osa Director, stated this while responding to questions on whether the NDC would sue the Benue State Government following the disruption of Obi’s visit to the state.
Obi had visited Benue State to sympathise with victims and residents of the Yelwata community following the deadly attack that claimed several lives and displaced residents. The NDC said the visit was intended purely to show solidarity with the affected communities and was not a political campaign.
Director said the party was instead calling on the police to conduct an open and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disruption and prosecute anyone found culpable.
“We only urge the police to ensure an open, transparent investigation and prosecution of those found culpable,” he said.
He warned that the matter should not be allowed to fade away after the public display of persons arrested in connection with the incident. “It should not be swept under the carpet after the public show of those arrested,” Director added.
The controversy followed Obi’s visit to Benue State, where his movement and interaction with residents reportedly triggered objections from state authorities, leading to a confrontation over whether the former Anambra State governor was engaging in political activities during his visit.
The NDC maintained that Obi was in Yelwata to sympathise and empathise with victims of the violence and was not conducting a campaign rally.
However, Section 95(4) of the 2026 Electoral Act prevents anyone from obstructing a political party or candidate from organising rallies, meetings or processions in any part of the country; also, the Commissioner of Police is mandated to provide security for such processions.
Director said the NDC therefore expected security agencies to act within the law and ensure that political activities were conducted peacefully and without obstruction.
The party’s position comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major political parties and emerging alliances increasingly stepping up engagements across the country.
Director’s comments suggest that while the NDC reserves its legal options, its immediate demand is for the police to establish what happened in Benue, identify those responsible and ensure that the matter is subjected to due process rather than being politicised.