Benue Govt Reacts to Attack on Peter Obi During Visit to State

The Benue State Government has denied prior knowledge of Peter Obi’s visit to the state after the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly encountered a blockade while travelling to Makurdi on Tuesday.

Obi was said to have arrived in Benue as part of a planned visit to Yelewata, where he was expected to meet families affected by the deadly June 2025 attacks in the community.

However, his convoy was reportedly stopped by some youths at Gyado along the Gboko Road, preventing the former Anambra State governor from proceeding to his intended destination.

Reacting to the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said the state government was not informed about Obi’s arrival.

“We are not aware of his coming to the state,” Tersoo said, questioning the level of security attached to Obi’s movement.

He argued that as a former governor and presidential candidate, Obi should have been provided with adequate security and that the host state ought to have been notified of his visit to ensure proper protection.

Tersoo also dismissed suggestions that the youths who blocked Obi’s convoy were acting on behalf of the state government.

According to him, the Alia administration does not engage thugs and had no reason to consider Obi a threat.

“Our government doesn’t patronize thugs and in any case Obi is not a threat to the governor,” he said, adding that he was only learning about Obi’s visit from reports of the incident.

Meanwhile, NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso condemned the reported obstruction of Obi’s convoy and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted.

Kwankwaso, in a statement posted on his official X handle, described the incident as disturbing and accused unnamed individuals of mobilising “unruly elements” to prevent Obi from entering Makurdi.

“I am deeply disturbed by the attack on the convoy of our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as he travelled to Benue State,” he said.

He maintained that freedom of movement is guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and should apply to Obi as a former governor and opposition presidential candidate.

Kwankwaso urged the Benue State Government to swiftly investigate the incident, identify those involved and ensure their prosecution.

He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to caution state governors, particularly those elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against actions that could restrict political activities and democratic freedoms.

“I further urge the president to caution state governors, particularly those in his party, against any actions that could undermine the sanctity of our democracy,” he said.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further called on diplomatic missions, international organisations and election observation groups to take note of the development and encourage Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of opposition figures.

The controversy comes amid heightened concerns over insecurity in Benue, with Obi having previously visited communities affected by attacks and called for stronger measures to protect residents.