The ‘Obidient Movement’ in Benue State has postponed its planned “One Million Man March” in Makurdi, citing the need to ensure adequate security, coordination and logistics for the event.
The leadership of the movement in Benue State said it postponed the planned one million man march in Makurdi and rescheduled the event for Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The march, which was initially scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 12, 2026, was. reportedly postponed following consultations with relevant security agencies, stakeholders, well-wishers and leaders of the movement across Benue State and the country.
In a statement signed by the Obidient Movement, Benue State Chapter, the organisers said the decision was taken to ensure that the event is conducted peacefully and in an orderly and lawful manner.
According to the movement, the postponement was also aimed at prioritising the safety and security of participants, residents and other road users who may be affected by the march.
The organisers said the rescheduled march will begin at 9:15am on Saturday, September 26, with the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi designated as the convergence point.
“The decision to reschedule the March reflects our commitment to ensuring that the event is conducted in a peaceful, orderly, responsible, and lawful manner, with due regard for the safety and security of all participants, residents, and other road users,” the statement said.
The movement said the new date followed “extensive consultations and careful consideration involving relevant security agencies, stakeholders, well-wishers, and leaders of the Movement across Benue and the country.”
Defending the postponement, the organisers described it as a responsible decision rather than a retreat from the planned demonstration.
“THIS IS NOT A RETREAT. IT IS A RESPONSIBLE DECISION,” the statement said.
The movement explained that the additional time would enable participants travelling from different parts of Benue State and beyond to make adequate preparations for the event.
It added that the postponement would also allow the organisers to strengthen mobilisation, coordination and logistics ahead of the march, which they said was expected to be “larger, better-organised, and more impactful.”
The organisers, however, expressed regret to members, supporters and others who had already made preparations to attend the event on September 12.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience, disappointment, or hardship that the postponement may have caused our members, supporters, and all those who had already made preparations to participate,” the statement said.
The movement urged its members and supporters to remain united and committed to the planned march while maintaining peace and order.
“We urge everyone to remain united, steadfast, committed, peaceful, fully mobilised and turbo charged as we work towards the new date,” it added.
The organisers emphasised that the postponement did not amount to cancellation, urging supporters to prepare for the rescheduled event.
“THE MARCH IS POSTPONED, NOT CANCELLED,” the statement said.
The movement said participants would gather on September 26 “in peace, unity, and solidarity” around what it described as one clear message: “BENUE MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN.”
The Obidient Movement, which has maintained a strong political presence in Benue and other parts of the country, did not provide further details on the specific issues discussed with the security agencies during the consultations.
The movement reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the rescheduled march is conducted peacefully, responsibly and in accordance with the law.
This postponement follows the controversy surrounding the visit of Peter Obi to Benue State where he was attacked by suspected thugs.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Obidient Movement condemned what it described as a “state-backed attempt” to prevent the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, from moving freely in Benue State.
The group accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of being behind the alleged mobilisation of thugs who reportedly barricaded Gboko Road near the Makurdi airport on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, disrupting traffic and allegedly attempting to frustrate Obi’s movements and engagements in the state.
In a statement signed by its Media & Communications Directorate, the movement said the incident represented a continuation of what it described as the governor’s “systemic obsession to stop Peter Obi.”
“The Obidient Movement unequivocally condemns the latest state-backed attempt to block Mr. Peter Obi’s freedom of movement in Benue State,” the statement said.
The group alleged that “organised thugs, acting under the alleged instructions of Governor Hyacinth Alia, barricaded Gboko Road near the Makurdi airport, bringing traffic to a standstill in a reckless effort to obstruct Obi’s movement and prevent his ongoing engagements across the state.”
