BREAKING NEWS: ‘Obi, Don’t Come!’ — Police Stopped Peter Obi From Approaching Crowd, NDC Chieftain Claims

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dickson Iroegbu, has alleged that security operatives prevented the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from approaching a group of people who were reportedly protesting his presence during a visit to Benue State.

Iroegbu made the claim during an interview with Trust TV on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, while discussing the incident and the reaction that greeted Obi’s visit.

According to him, Obi had attempted to move closer to the people gathered at the scene in order to engage them in a conversation and understand the reason for their opposition.

However, Iroegbu said police officers and other security personnel intervened and stopped the former Anambra State governor from proceeding.

“Of course, the police were there, the security agents were there, and they literally stopped him from going forward because Mr. Peter Obi wanted to go and even have a conversation with these people who were blocking him from moving into the community and all of that,” Iroegbu said.

The NDC chieftain maintained that Obi was not seeking to confront the protesters but rather wanted to interact with them and possibly hear their concerns.

“He wanted to go to them to have an interaction with them,” Iroegbu added.

Iroegbu further claimed that the crowd was openly opposed to Obi’s presence, alleging that they repeatedly chanted, “Obi, don’t come! Obi, don’t come!”

He said the police subsequently prevented Obi from moving closer to the group.

The alleged incident comes at a time when political activities are intensifying ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with opposition figures increasingly visiting communities and mobilising support across the country.

The account has also raised fresh questions about political tolerance, freedom of movement and the role of security agencies during political engagements.

However, the claims remain Iroegbu’s account of the incident. Further clarification from Peter Obi, the people involved in the confrontation, the police or other relevant authorities would be necessary to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened in Benue State.