{
  "id": 6277197,
  "title": "‘Substance abuse victims’ attacked Peter Obi in Benue — NDC guber candidate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/substance-abuse-victims-attacked-peter-obi-in-benue-ndc-guber",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T12:18:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/08/substance-abuse-victims-attacked-peter-obi-in-benue-ndc-guber-candidate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professor Terhemba Shiga, the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue State, has defended the thugs who attacked Peter Obi during his recent visit to the state. Speaking to journalists, Shiga labeled the assailants as \"victims of substance abuse.\" The conflict erupted when the alleged thugs obstructed a major route into the state capital, Makurdi, in an attempt to prevent Obi from entering the area.\n\nShiga insisted that the NDC candidate's visit was not motivated by his desire to cause trouble. In fact, he pointed out that Obi won the last gubernatorial election in Benue State, despite claims of rigging, which allegedly cost him the victory by just 2000 votes. Shiga further explained that the fear of a similar outcome could be the reason behind the recent attack.\n\nDespite the imposition of a ban on political activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Shiga highlighted the NDC candidate's intention to extend condolences to families who have lost loved ones. He emphasized that the presence of INEC's ban should not hinder Obi's efforts to address the people of Benue State, despite the fact that the election has already taken place.",
  "summary": "The Benue State Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, governorship candidate, Professor Terhemba Shiga, has described the thugs that attacked Peter Obi in the state as ‘victims of substance abuse’. Shiga made this statement while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday shortly after the incident. DAILY POST reports that trouble erupted when suspected thugs blocked a major access […] ‘Substance abuse victims’…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}