Benue government says it didn't know about Obi's visit

The Benue State Government has said it was not aware of the visit by Peter Obi. Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. His convoy was reportedly stopped by some youths during his visit to the state on Tuesday.

Kula Tersoo is the Chief Press Secretary to the governor. In a phone interview on Tuesday, he said the government did not know about Obi’s visit.

“We are not aware of his coming to the state, and if it were to be security agents that stopped him, it would have been easy for us to find out what happened,” Tersoo said.

He added, “As presidential candidate of a party and former governor he is a property of 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.”

Tersoo expressed surprise that youths could stop Obi from entering the state. He said no youth was acting on behalf of the government. He also mentioned that Obi was not a threat to the governor.

“We were surprised that youth would stop someone. Youth cannot do anything on behalf of government. Our government doesn’t patronize thugs. 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.

Obi was reportedly on his way to Yelewata to visit the families of victims from the June 2025 massacre. His convoy was stopped at Gyado Villa along Gboko Road by some youths.

As of the time of writing this report, Obi was said to have returned to Abuja.

Prof. Terhemba Shija is the governorship candidate of the NDC in the state. He spoke with our correspondent and explained that Obi was on his way to Yelewata to see the families of the victims of the June 2025 massacre.

He said, “Is Obi not a presidential candidate? INEC has lifted the ban on campaigns and we duly informed police and DSS about his visit to the state. They deployed police and DSS to be with us.”

When asked if the state government had been informed of Obi’s visit, Prof. Shija dismissed the question. He said the state government should know that the Independent National Electoral Commission had lifted the ban on campaigns.

“But government is aware that INEC has lifted the ban on campaign. Do we need to take permission from a candidate?” Professor Shija asked.

He called the incident “a demonstration of fear, a clear show that Obi is the man to watch.” He added, “He has come just to see families of victims of Yelewata. Why should somebody stop a legitimate candidate after he has officially given notice to CP and DSS?”

Meanwhile, the state command has confirmed that Obi’s team notified it of his visit.

In a brief statement on Tuesday, the command spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the reason youths stopped Obi from entering the state is still unknown.

“We can confirm that the police are aware of the incident involving Peter Obi’s movement to Yelewata. 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.

“Further updates will be provided accordingly,” the PPRO said.