Benue Government Denies Knowledge of Obi’s Visit, Accuses Him of Breaching Security Protocol

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Benue State Government has denied having prior knowledge of Peter Obi’s visit to the state, dismissing the former Anambra State governor’s claims that he was prevented from visiting victims of the 2025 Yelewata massacre.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was reportedly stopped by a mob at Gboko Road on Tuesday while attempting to enter the state.

Videos shared on X by Esther Umoh, Obi’s photographer, showed a group of people chasing his convoy.

Obi said he had travelled to Benue to sympathise with victims of the Yelewata massacre and not for political campaigning. He alleged that “thugs” led by an aide to Governor Hyacinth Alia blocked his movement.

However, the state government rejected the allegation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, described Obi’s claims as “lies” intended to damage the governor’s reputation.

“The allegations are unfounded and desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” Kula said.

The governor’s spokesperson maintained that the state government had no prior information about Obi’s visit.

“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about.”

Kula also said Obi was not a threat to Governor Alia, arguing that security agencies were available to address any security concerns if necessary.

He described Alia as a “peace-loving Reverend gentleman” who opposed thuggery and did not “engage, patronize, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security”.

The CPS further accused Obi of failing to comply with security procedures by entering the state without formally notifying the relevant authorities.

“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,” he said.

According to Kula, a visit by a presidential candidate would ordinarily require security coordination involving the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies.

He also questioned Obi’s decision to associate the incident with Governor Alia.

“We really find it difficult to understand the basis for Mr. Obi’s attempt to connect every fabrication with the Benue State Government, and Governor Hyacinth Alia in the first instance,” Kula said.

The state government said it would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to create political controversies.

“The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists.

“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace.”