The Benue State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Terhemba Shija, has declared that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the Nigerian capable of leading the country towards a better future.
Shija made the declaration on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after Obi’s convoy was reportedly prevented from reaching Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where the former Anambra State governor had planned to sympathise with families affected by recent terrorist attacks.
The NDC governorship candidate alleged that Obi’s growing political influence was responsible for the opposition to his visit, recalling that the former Labour Party presidential candidate won Benue State in the 2023 presidential election despite lacking what he described as the “so-called structures.”
He alleged that the 2023 election results were manipulated to reduce Obi’s victory margin in the state.
“In the previous election, even without the so-called structures and whatever, Peter Obi won Benue State, in spite of their rigging. They rigged and said they defeated Peter Obi by 2,000 votes,” Shija said.
According to him, the current political administration was apprehensive about Obi’s presence in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shija, however, stressed that Obi had not arrived in Benue to campaign, but to condole with families who had lost loved ones to insecurity.
“He hasn’t yet come here. He has only come to condole with people whose people have been killed. And now, they don’t want him to step his foot here,” he said.
Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked along Boko Road, near the Air Force Base, shortly after his arrival in Benue on Tuesday.
The development reportedly prevented him from proceeding to Yelwata, where he was expected to meet families affected by the June 13, 2025 attack and offer support to victims.
Shija questioned why Obi would be obstructed from visiting bereaved families, particularly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had lifted its ban on political activities.
He said the NDC would proceed with its political activities in the state, announcing that the party planned to formally commence its governorship campaign within a week.
“This is in spite of the fact that INEC has lifted the ban on politics. So, whatever happens, we are going to come in,” he said.
The NDC candidate warned against any attempt to disrupt the party’s campaign, saying such action could provoke confrontation between youths.
However, he added that his party did not intend to cause trouble or create violence in the state.
“We want a change. We want a change. And things have to be done better,” Shija said.
He described Obi as the leader he believed could deliver the change Nigerians were seeking, urging supporters not to be intimidated by the reported incident.
“This is the Nigerian that will lead us all into getting into a better Nigeria. So, we’re not scared. We don’t want to cause any sin here,” he said.
Shija further alleged that some of those involved in the obstruction were acting on instructions and accused them of substance abuse.
His comments came amid competing claims over the incident involving Obi’s convoy.
