Amnesty International has condemned attacks on Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress NDC and his entourage in Benue State.
The rights group said no state is off-limits for anyone to visit. The group, in a statement on its official social media handle, said no Nigerian needs approval to visit any state in Nigeria. Political thugs on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, blocked Peter Obi from entering Benue, allegedly on the orders of the Governor. The Governor, however, denied the claims, adding that the government had no prior knowledge of Peter Obi’s visit to the State. The rights group added that the Benue State government has questions to answer for what it’s described as “brazen act of political repression.”
According to the rights group “, No Nigerian needs anybody’s permission or prior notification to visit any part of the country, at all times. No state is a no-go area for any person or supporters of any political party.”
It continued, “What happened today in Benue state is an unprecedented and dangerous act of political hooliganism that undermines the entire democratic process.”
The group lamented that heavily armed youth unlawfully barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi, the state capital, in what appears to be a coordinated plan that puts the entourage of opposition NDC at risk.
“Harassment of rival candidates by state-endorsed armed vigilante groups or thugs is unlawful.
Alarming intolerance, incitements and other efforts to undermine democracy must be decisively addressed now.”
The statement added that Amnesty International has, since last year, been documenting a shocking level of political repression, including preventing hotels from hosting political meetings organised by the opposition, direct attacks on political activities of rival parties and other acts that undermine the existence of a level playing field politically.
“We are seriously concerned that the Nigerian Government is doing very little to prevent political repression and violence. Some states have been implementing an unpronounced policy of using all means to shut out any political opposition. We are also concerned by the failure of the relevant authorities to investigate and bring to justice the suspected perpetrators of such acts.
Political parties and candidates must make an anti-violence and thuggery stance a clear and integral part of their election campaign,” the rights group said.
