Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on news organizations to stop partisan reporting when covering clashes between competing political actors.
Keyamo’s warning follows a chaotic confrontation in Benue State where youth groups forcefully intercepted the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The incident occurred as Obi attempted to travel to Yelwata in the Guma Local Government Area to pay his respects to victims of a tragic attack.
The blockade sparked swift political friction, with the opposition party claiming hired political thugs organized the disruption, while local state officials strongly denied any knowledge or involvement.
Confirming awareness of the visit, state police authorities stated that security detail was assigned to the convoy, though the exact motives behind the road closure remain under investigation.
Condemning the obstruction directly, Keyamo emphasized that politicians of all democratic persuasions must be granted unhindered freedom of movement throughout the country.
“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 asserted.
He insisted that the source of the confrontation—whether driven by internal party friction or outside orchestration—is entirely secondary to the unacceptable violation of democratic norms.
“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC (as posited by the Benue State Government) or sponsored by the APC or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” he noted.
The minister concluded that alleged political motivations behind Obi’s humanitarian outreach could never justify crude interference with a candidate’s freedom to travel.
