The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed for balanced media coverage following the controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s recent experience in Benue State.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, became embroiled in a dispute after his movement into Benue was reportedly obstructed.

The development sparked a strong reaction from Obi and his political organisation, which called for an investigation into the incident.

The NDC accused those involved of obstructing its candidate and said the incident required urgent attention from relevant authorities.

The Benue State Government, however, has denied responsibility for deploying thugs against Obi.

A government official also said the former Anambra governor did not follow the required protocol for his visit, providing a different explanation for the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Against the backdrop of these conflicting accounts, Keyamo called for media organisations to remain neutral in their reporting.

His intervention has added to the growing political debate over the incident, with supporters of the various sides presenting different interpretations of what happened.

The dispute comes at a politically sensitive period as politicians and political groups intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Obi remains one of the prominent opposition figures in the emerging political landscape, while the ruling All Progressives Congress and other parties are also preparing for the next electoral contest.

The Benue incident has therefore attracted attention beyond the state, with political observers watching how the disagreement develops.

For now, the parties involved continue to stand by their respective accounts of the events.

Keyamo’s call for neutrality places particular emphasis on the responsibility of media organisations to report competing claims and allow readers to understand the positions of all sides.

The controversy is likely to remain part of the political conversation as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.