“He Must Answer”: Ortom Blames Alia for Obi Convoy Blockade

Former Governor Samuel Ortom has condemned the blockade of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, accusing Governor Hyacinth Alia of being personally responsible for the incident.

Ortom challenged the governor, a Catholic priest, to swear by the Bible that he was not aware of what happened.

A Scathing Indictment

ValidViewNetwork gathered that former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has condemned the blockade of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, from visiting Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area.

Ortom accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of disrespecting the rule of law, saying the incident was a reflection of the situation in Benue.

A Clergyman Who Tells Lies

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Ortom alleged that Alia was behind the incident and challenged the governor to swear by the Bible that he was not aware of what happened.

“In Benue State, we have a government that does not believe in the rule of law. We have a government in Benue State that is out for lawlessness. We begin to wonder, if all of us will not respect the rule of law, but also join him in ensuring lawlessness, where are we going to be?” Ortom said. “This is a supposed man of God, a supposed priest of the Catholic Church. We know that even in the scriptures that we lean on, it says that we must respect the laws of the land. But unfortunately, we have somebody who says he’s a Catholic priest and does not respect the rule of law in any way,” he added.

A Deliberate Attempt

“I condemn what happened yesterday. It is wrong not to allow Peter Obi to visit Benue and sympathise with those people whose people were killed. It was wrong, and that is the kind of government that we have in Benue State today,” Ortom said.

“Governor Alia has been doing it… It was a deliberate attempt. He did it. Ask any other person. Alia himself, the governor of Benue State, is involved in this matter. He cannot deny that,” he added.

A Dangerous Signal

Meanwhile, former Governor of Bayelsa State and national leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those involved.

“This happening, while campaigns have officially started, sends a very dangerous signal, and the point has to be made clearly that this is not only condemnable, it is criminal. This is rascality of the highest order, and this is intolerable. There has to be punishment for this,” Dickson said.

A Lesson for Nigeria

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The blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy is a reminder that political violence has no place in a democracy. The same politicians who incite violence will never allow their own children to be victims of it. Their families are protected.

For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: the 2027 elections must be free from intimidation. The same leaders who tolerate political violence will never allow their own children to be caught in the crossfire.

Reject political violence. Demand accountability. And never forget that the ballot box is the only legitimate weapon of democracy.