The Benue State Government has firmly denied any knowledge of a recent visit to the state by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
This statement comes in the wake of reports circulating that a group of youths allegedly blocked Obi’s convoy as he attempted to access the state.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, stated that neither the governor nor the state administration was informed of Obi’s reported trip to Yelewata.
Yelewata is a community located in the Guma Local Government Area, which recently suffered a devastating attack that claimed over 200 lives.
Tersoo emphasized that as a prominent political figure and former two-term governor, a visit by a presidential candidate typically warrants official coordination with local security apparatuses.
He noted that the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security heads should have been notified well in advance to guarantee proper protection and prevent any security breaches.
Addressing rumors that the state government might have orchestrated the blockade, Tersoo strongly dismissed the claims, maintaining that Governor Alia does not condone thuggery.
He argued that if the administration viewed Obi as a threat, it would rely on legitimate security operatives rather than employing youths to halt a convoy.
Furthermore, he noted that no security agency had briefed the governor regarding the movement.
Reflecting on past claims where Obi alleged his convoy faced similar disruptions and gunfire in Benue, Tersoo questioned the validity of Tuesday’s incident, reiterating that a high-profile visit requires seamless inter-agency communication.
He concluded that the ability of local youths to stop the convoy strongly suggests a lack of proper security clearance—or casts doubt on whether the visit actually took place.
