"Energy Is Electric!" — Peter Obi & Kwankwaso Storm Benue Amid Threats, and the Crowd Goes Wild

Abdulhameed Sherif · Politics · Nov 11, 2026

The political atmosphere in Makurdi, Benue State, reached a fever pitch on Wednesday as Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, arrived for a highly anticipated town hall meeting.

The arrival of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Makurdi at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday was more than just a political stop; it was a display of force and popular support that seemed to defy the tense security warnings that preceded it. The NDC governorship candidate in Benue, Prof. Terhemba Shija, had earlier raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the state government to disrupt the engagement—a claim the government swiftly dismissed as "false, baseless and mischievous".

Undeterred, the NDC flagbearers proceeded with a double engagement. Their first stop was a solemn humanitarian visit to Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where Obi was expected to lay a wreath at a cenotaph erected in memory of victims of the June 2025 massacre, which claimed over 200 lives. The visit was seen as a direct show of solidarity with families who had suffered immense loss, and it carried significant emotional weight, especially given previous controversies surrounding attempts to visit violence-affected communities in the state.

From the solemnity of Yelewata, the scene shifted to the vibrant energy of the town hall meeting at the Mission House in Wurukum, Makurdi. The venue was packed with a cross-section of society—traditional rulers, civil society organisations, students, women, youths, and labour unions—all eager to hear the NDC candidate's vision.

The digital sphere mirrored the physical excitement. Videos of their arrival sparked a flurry of reactions, with prominent supporters amplifying the moment. Chinasa (@MuchTalksBlog1), a staunch Obi supporter, captured the mood by writing, "Senior Man, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, has arrived at the venue for the NDC town hall meeting in Benue State. The energy is electric! A new Nigeria is possible". Another influential voice, NDC chieftain Aisha Yesufu, simply declared, "My President".

While the focus was on the two principals, the visit also highlighted the broader NDC campaign structure. The team includes retired Major General John Enenche, a former Director of Defence Information, who was appointed as the Director of Security and Intelligence for the NDC National Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections. Enenche, an indigene of Benue State, had previously endorsed Obi during the 2023 election cycle and his appointment has been a topic of discussion, with critics like Omoyele Sowore accusing Obi of betraying the #EndSARS movement due to Enenche's past comments on the Lekki shooting.

For the people of Benue, however, the day was less about the internal politics of the campaign council and more about the promise of a new direction. The cheers that greeted Obi and Kwankwaso suggested a deep yearning for change, and as the town hall meeting commenced, it was clear that the NDC ticket intends to make the state a focal point in its journey to 2027.