{
  "id": 6425536,
  "title": "Makinde: Blockade of Obi’s convoy confirms APC’s desperation to Silence Opposition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/makinde-blockade-of-obis-convoy-confirms-apcs-desperation-to-silence",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T14:25:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/makinde-blockade-of-obis-convoy-confirms-apcs-desperation-to-silence-opposition/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seyi Makinde, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has vehemently condemned the blockade of the convoy carrying Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Benue State. Makinde's Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo, conveyed Makinde's stance, labeling the act as a desperate attempt by the ruling party to silence opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. The incident, which occurred on September 8, 2026, involved a group of suspected state-sponsored thugs obstructing Obi's convoy as he traveled to Yelwata to visit families affected by the recent killings in the area. Makinde expressed deep concern over the act, calling it a \"new low in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)'s desperation to stifle opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.\" He further accused the APC of being rattled by recent political developments, leading them to employ barbaric tactics such as intimidation, harassment, and unlawful obstruction of opposition parties and leaders. Makinde emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to move and reside anywhere within the country without prior permission or notice. He strongly condemned the Benue State government's response, asserting that setting up roadblocks and employing thugs to prevent opposition candidates from moving freely is incompatible with a constitutional democracy. Makinde urged the Nigerian Police to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the incident, with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice to uphold the principles of democracy.",
  "summary": "Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has condemned the blockade of the convoy of the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, in Benue State. Speaking through Anthony Ehilebo, his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Makinde described the act as a desperate move by the […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Makinde condemns APC's blockade of Obi's convoy in Benue State.",
    "Incident occurred on September 8, 2026, involving state-sponsored thugs.",
    "Makinde accuses APC of desperation to silence opposition ahead of 2027 elections."
  ],
  "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."
}