NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Benue State Government has rejected the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi’s, claim that he was blocked by thugs allegedly working for the state government from accessing Yelwata.
The government also dismissed claims that it sent state-sponsored thugs to block his convoy along the Gboko Road on Tuesday, citing a lack of prior protocol notification and rejecting allegations of political high-handedness.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, in a statement issued on Tuesday, described Obi’s allegation as unfounded and said the government doubted that such a visit occurred.
Dismissing the involvement of Governor Alia in the incident, Kula said, “We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has any idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about.
“Based on his antecedents of making untrue statements against the state, we have every reason to doubt whether he visited Makurdi, the state capital today,” Kula said.
Videos circulating on Tuesday morning showed the moment Obi was prevented from proceeding in Benue State after youths barricaded Gboko Road in Makurdi.
The youths, chanting, “We don’t want Peter Obi,” blocked the road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport for hours, disrupting traffic as Obi’s convoy was held back.
Speaking at the scene, Obi said, “I was told that youths, led by an SA (Special Assistant) to the government, have decided to block the road and make sure I don’t go there.
“The rascality they are bringing into this country is totally unacceptable. People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to show that they are with them, and I came here all the way this morning, a long distance, only to be told what you are seeing here.”
In a statement he later issued via his X handle, Obi said he was on a humanitarian mission in Benue, adding that he planned to visit families of victims of the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata.
The presidential candidate later proceeded to Plateau State after his unsuccessful visit to Benue.
However, Kula said Obi was not a threat to the governor, adding that even if he had visited the state and was considered a threat, security agencies, rather than thugs, should handle the situation.
“Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way.
“Even if he actually visited the state, and we realized that he is a threat to anyone, the security agencies are there to handle the issue, not thugs,” he said.
Kula said Alia’s administration did not “engage, patronize, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security”, adding that the governor was committed to the rule of law and relied on recognised security agencies to maintain peace and order.
He also questioned why Obi, as a presidential candidate, would visit the state without the relevant security authorities being formally informed.
“It is therefore curious that an individual presenting himself as a presidential candidate could arrive in a state without the relevant security authorities being formally informed of his movement.
“Ordinarily, such a visit would attract the attention and necessary security coordination involving the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies,” he said.
The statement came hours after the state government had said it was unaware of Obi’s visit, while the state police command confirmed that it knew about his movement to Yelwata and that police operatives provided security for the movement.
The governorship candidate of the NDC in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, had also said the police and the Department of State Services were informed about Obi’s visit.
Kula said the government found it difficult to understand Obi’s attempt to link the incident to the state government and Governor Alia.
“If Mr. Obi is confronted with disagreements or internal political challenges within his party structure in Benue State, those issues should be resolved within the party rather than being conveniently transferred to the State Government,” he said.
He urged the public to disregard allegations linking the state government to the incident, saying Benue remained open to legitimate visitors, political actors and Nigerians who came in peace.
The Punch
