By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Save Nigeria Group USA (SNG-USA) has condemned the reported blockade of the convoy of the NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in Makurdi, Benue State, describing the incident as a dis’urbing development ahead of the 2027 general elections and calling for an impartial investigation.

The organisation made the call in a statement issued from Washington, D.C., on September 8, 2026, and signed by Stephen Osemwegie, President; Victor Onyeka-Ben, Media Director; Autumn Miller, Public Relations Director; and David Adenekan, Assistant Media Director, on behalf of Save Nigeria Group USA.

Obi was reportedly travelling through Makurdi to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area to commiserate with families and communities affected by the killings of June 2025, when more than 270 people were reportedly killed.

According to SNG-USA, his convoy was stopped by youths along the Gboko-Makurdi Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport, with protesters barricading the road and preventing the convoy from proceeding.

The group said any attempt to intimidate, obstruct, threaten or physically confront a presidential candidate during a peaceful public engagement was unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.

“Nigeria cannot build a stable democracy where political disagreements degenerate into intimidation, road blockades, threats, violence, or the mobilization of groups to prevent political opponents from moving freely,” SNG-USA said.

The organisation expressed particular concern over allegations that individuals associated with political actors or government officials may have been involved in mobilising the youths.

It said Obi had alleged at the scene that the youths were mobilised by a Special Assistant to the Benue State Government, while the state government denied involvement and said it was not aware of the visit. The Benue State Government has since described the allegation as unfounded and denied deploying thugs.

SNG-USA said it did not presume the guilt of any individual or government official, but argued that the conflicting accounts made an independent investigation necessary.

“These conflicting accounts make a prompt, transparent, impartial, and credible investigation imperative,” the organisation said.

It urged investigators to establish who organised and mobilised those who blocked the convoy, whether political actors or public officials were involved, whether weapons or dangerous objects were carried or used, and whether security personnel at the scene acted appropriately.

The group also called for the authorities to determine whether anyone threatened, assaulted or attempted to harm Obi or members of his entourage and whether the Incident was politically motivated.

The Benue State Police Command has since disclosed that it arrested 46 suspects allegedly linked to the obstruction. The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the police initially avoided using force to disperse the group because of concerns about possible loss of lives and property.

SNG-USA called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Armed Forces and other security institutions to protect political candidates and ensure that public institutions or security structures were not used to intimidate political opponents.

“Presidential candidates and other political actors must be able to travel and engage citizens without intimidation, obstruction, or violence,” the organisation said, urging security agencies to remain professional, impartial and nonpartisan.

The group further demanded that anyone found responsible for violence, assault, criminal intimidation, vandalism or other offences be prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.

SNG-USA also commended Obi for reportedly choosing not to force his way through the blockade, saying that decision helped prevent what could have become a more dangerous confrontation.

“Political competition is legitimate. Political disagreement is legitimate. Peaceful protest is legitimate. But violence, intimidation, threats, and political thuggery are not legitimate instruments of democracy,” the organisation said.

The group urged Obi, his supporters, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Benue State Government, opposition parties and other political stakeholders to exercise restraint while allowing the authorities to establish the facts.

SNG-USA said communities such as Yelewata, which continue to mourn victims of deadly attacks, needed compassion, humanitarian assistance and justice rather than further political confrontation.

“The families of those killed deserve dignity. The displaced deserve protection. The survivors deserve justice. And every Nigerian deserves the right to participate In the democratic process without fear,” the statement said.

The organisation also called on the United States Government, European Union, United Nations, African Union, international human-rights organisations, diplomatic missions and democratic institutions to monitor Nigeria’s political environment as the 2027 elections approach.

SNG-USA warned that the emergence of politically motivated violence would be an ominous sign if such incidents were allowed to continue unchecked.

“Save Nigeria Group USA stands for a Nigeria where political differences are settled through dialogue, elections, constitutional processes, and the rule of law—not intimidation or violence,” the organisation added.