Supporters of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, under the aegis of the Obidient Movement, have announced plans to stage a one million-man march in Benue State.
The planned demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Makurdi, the state capital, with participants expected to assemble at the Wurukum Roundabout from 9am.
Politics Nigeria reports that the announcement was contained in a flyer circulating on social media on Friday and shared by Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
The flyer, issued by the Benue State chapter of the movement, described the event as a “One Million Man March” in solidarity with “A New Nigeria.”
This development comes days after some youths reportedly blocked and attacked Obi’s convoy shortly after he arrived in Benue State.
Obi had travelled to the state as part of a visit to Yelwata, where he was expected to meet families affected by the deadly June 2025 massacre.
His convoy was reportedly stopped by youths at Gyado along the Gboko Road, preventing him from proceeding to his intended destination.
The incident subsequently triggered reactions from Obi’s supporters and opposition members, with some accusing the Benue State Government of being involved in the development.
However, the state government has denied having prior knowledge of Obi’s visit and rejected claims that the youths who blocked his convoy were acting on its behalf.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said the government was unaware of the former Anambra State governor’s arrival in the state.
“We are not aware of his coming to the state, and if it were to be security agents that stopped him, it would have been easy for us to find out what happened,” Tersoo said.
He questioned why security agencies attached to Obi did not adequately protect him and stressed that the host state’s security authorities should ordinarily be informed when a presidential candidate visits.
Tersoo also dismissed suggestions that the youths involved in the incident were sponsored by the state government.
He said the Alia administration did not patronise thugs and maintained that Obi was not considered a political threat to the governor.
“We were surprised that youth would stop someone, youth cannot do anything on behalf of the government. Our government doesn’t patronize thugs and in any case Obi is not a threat to the governor,” he added.
Meanwhile, a supporter of the Obidient Movement, Ndubuisi Nicholas Ifedoro, warned that the planned demonstration would be an opportunity for the movement and the Kwankwasiya Movement to establish their presence in the state.
In a Facebook post, Ifedoro directly addressed Governor Alia, saying the groups were coming to Benue to announce their presence.
He also criticised the reported blockade of Obi’s convoy, insisting that the movements remained committed to peaceful political participation.
“You call for it and they have answered you. It’s either you allow democracy to prosper or it will happen the way you want it to happen.
“We are peace-loving Nigerians like our Principal Mr. Peter Obi but do not take our calm or peaceful way for a fool,” he wrote.