The Benue State Government has denied being aware of a visit to the state by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, after his convoy was reportedly blocked by some youths on Tuesday.
Obi was said to be on his way to Yelewata to visit families of victims of the June 2025 massacre when his convoy was stopped by youths at Gyado Villa along the Gboko Road. He reportedly turned back and returned to Abuja.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, said in a telephone interview that the state government was not informed about Obi’s arrival.
“We are not aware of his coming to the state,” Tersoo said, adding that security agencies in the state would have been aware of the visit if the government had been properly notified.
He questioned how Obi, as a presidential candidate and former governor, could travel without adequate security arrangements involving the host state.
“As presidential candidate of a party and former governor, he is a property of the Federal Government and ought to have been given security. Where are those security agents around him? If he is going to any state, the security of the host state should know so as to provide security for him,” he said.
Tersoo also rejected allegations that the youths who blocked Obi’s convoy were acting on behalf of the state government.
“We were surprised that youths would stop someone. Youths cannot do anything on behalf of government. Our government doesn’t patronise thugs, and in any case, Obi is not a threat to the governor. We are not aware that Obi is coming to Benue. I am hearing it from you,” he said.
However, the NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, disputed the government’s position, insisting that the relevant security agencies had been duly informed of Obi’s visit.
Shija told PunchOnline that Obi was travelling to Yelewata to meet with families of victims of the June 2025 massacre.
According to him, the team officially notified the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), after which security personnel were deployed to accompany the presidential candidate.
“Is Obi not a presidential candidate? INEC has lifted the ban on campaign and we duly informed the police and DSS about his visit to the state. They deployed police and DSS to be with us,” Shija said.
He questioned the need to obtain permission from the state government, arguing that Obi’s visit was legitimate and that the authorities were already aware of the lifting of the campaign ban by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“But government is aware that INEC has lifted the ban on campaign. Do we need to take permission from the governor?” he asked.
Shija described the incident as “a demonstration of fear” and “a clear show that Obi is the man to watch,” arguing that the visit was solely intended to meet families affected by the Yelewata massacre.
“Why should somebody stop a legitimate candidate after he has officially given notice to the CP and DSS?” he asked.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of Obi’s movement to the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said police operatives provided security for the movement but that the circumstances surrounding the youths’ action remained unclear.
“We can confirm that the police are aware of the incident involving Peter Obi’s movement to Yelwata. Police operatives provided security for the movement.
“The reason the convoy was blocked by some youths is still unknown. We are monitoring the situation and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Aondongu said.
He added that the command would provide further updates as more information becomes available.
