Display Your Anger With The Ballot” — Keyamo Condemns Attack On Peter Obi

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi during his visit to Benue State.

According to Ireporter Online, Obi’s convoy was reportedly prevented by suspected thugs from proceeding to the venue of his planned visit in the state on Tuesday.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, Keyamo described the incident as unacceptable in a democratic society and said political candidates should be allowed to move freely and conduct their activities without intimidation or violence.

The minister said the incident deserved condemnation regardless of the circumstances surrounding the protest.

Keyamo noted that the Benue State Government had suggested that the incident could have resulted from internal disagreements within the NDC, while there were also allegations that rival political interests may have sponsored the protesters.

He maintained that neither explanation could justify disrupting the movement of a political candidate.

“Yesterday’s report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill,” Keyamo said.

He also rejected the argument that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata, where deadly violence occurred in 2025, was politically motivated and therefore justified the blockade.

According to Keyamo, even if questions had been raised about Obi’s intentions, the former Anambra State governor should still have been allowed to move freely and engage in political activities.

“Everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” he said.

Keyamo also criticised what he described as partisan coverage of political confrontations by sections of the media.

He alleged that confrontations involving All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates were sometimes portrayed as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition candidates were described as attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums.

The minister called on journalists and media organisations to maintain neutrality and apply consistent standards when reporting political events involving different parties and candidates.

“What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all,” he said.

Keyamo further condemned political rhetoric that encourages supporters to attack or intimidate opponents, arguing that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic means rather than violence.

He urged Nigerians who are dissatisfied with any political candidate or party to express their views through the electoral process.

“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” Keyamo stated.

The minister’s comments come amid continued reactions to the reported disruption of Obi’s movement in Benue, with various political figures calling for an end to violence and intimidation during political activities.