Benue authorities, NDC commerce phrases over alleged plot to disrupt Peter Obi’s go to

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue State, Terhemba Shija, has accused the state authorities of plotting to disrupt the deliberate go to of the celebration’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the state, an allegation the federal government has strongly denied.

Obi is scheduled to go to Benue on Wednesday for a city corridor assembly in Makurdi and a humanitarian go to to Yelewata neighborhood, the place dozens of individuals have been killed throughout an assault in June 2025.

The deliberate go to to Yelewata is predicted to incorporate a wreath-laying ceremony at a cenotaph erected in reminiscence of the victims and a gathering with households who misplaced family members within the assault.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, Shija alleged that the state authorities had issued threats supposed to stop Obi from visiting the neighborhood, regardless of being formally notified of the deliberate actions.

He recalled what he described as an earlier try to cease the previous Anambra State governor from visiting Yelewata, expressing concern that the newest improvement might have an effect on the proposed humanitarian engagement.

However, the Benue state authorities has dismissed the allegation, describing it as false, baseless and mischievous, whereas insisting that it has no intention of interfering with Obi’s motion or actions within the state.

Shija says go to will mix humanitarian and political engagements

Shija stated Obi’s go to would have each humanitarian and political significance, explaining that the presidential candidate supposed to honour victims of the June 2025 assaults and interact residents on points affecting the state.

He stated the proposed go to to Yelewata would contain laying a wreath on the cenotaph erected in reminiscence of these killed alongside Lafia Road and assembly relations of the victims.

According to him, Obi wouldn’t go to any authorities facility or internally displaced individuals’ camp throughout the train.

The NDC governorship candidate additionally disclosed {that a} city corridor assembly had been organized for Makurdi, the place Obi would work together with residents and stakeholders.

He stated the celebration had formally notified the state authorities of the go to and was additionally speaking with safety companies to make sure satisfactory preparations.

Shija maintained that the celebration didn’t require permission from the state authorities to hold out its political actions, however stated it had knowledgeable the related authorities within the curiosity of peace and safety.

He known as on the federal government and safety companies, significantly the police and the Department of State Services, to ensure the security of Obi, celebration members and different contributors.

“The visit of Mr Peter Obi is going to be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. We are not going to engage in any violence, but it must hold and it must be successful. The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, will not yield to any blackmail or intimidation,” he stated.

He, nevertheless, alleged that the federal government was uncomfortable with the go to due to its potential political implications forward of the 2027 common election.

Benue authorities says allegation is political content material creation

Reacting to the allegation, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, stated the state authorities had no plan to impede Obi’s go to or prohibit his motion in Benue.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, Iorpev described Shija’s accusation as false, baseless and mischievous, arguing that it was designed to create an impression that the federal government could be accountable if something went incorrect throughout the go to.

“This allegation is false, baseless and mischievous. It is speculation dressed up as fact, and it is meant to prepare the ground for a familiar script to stage a disruption, blame the government, and harvest sympathy. This is political content creation, not truth-telling,” he stated.

The commissioner maintained that Benue remained a hospitable state the place Nigerians, together with political figures in search of public help, have been free to go to.

He stated Governor Hyacinth Alia had no purpose to worry Obi’s presence within the state, including that the administration was targeted on rebuilding communities, restoring safety and delivering improvement initiatives.

Iorpev additionally cautioned the NDC towards turning the reminiscence of the Yelewata victims right into a political marketing campaign platform.

According to him, the tragedy remained a painful expertise for the state, and the households of these killed deserved respect and compassion fairly than the politicisation of their grief.

“We mourn with the families of the victims every day. No one should turn that grief into a political stage, and no one should use a visit meant to console the bereaved as material for a publicity campaign,” he stated.

The commissioner added that the state authorities recognised its duty to guard guests and would take essential measures to make sure peaceable motion and interactions throughout the go to.

He warned that safety companies would deal firmly with anybody making an attempt to trigger dysfunction, no matter political affiliation.

Previous disruptions forged shadow over deliberate go to

The newest disagreement comes towards the background of earlier controversies surrounding Obi’s makes an attempt to go to Yelewata and different components of Benue.

The former Anambra governor’s humanitarian engagements within the state have beforehand generated disagreements between his political associates and the state authorities over safety preparations, official notification and entry to affected communities.

In April 2025, a deliberate go to by Obi to an internally displaced individuals’ camp in Benue was reportedly halted amid considerations raised over safety and protocol.

Another controversy adopted on September 8, 2026, when Obi’s convoy reportedly encountered a roadblock mounted by suspected political thugs alongside Gboko Road in Makurdi as he tried to go to Yelewata.

Reports stated the group blocked the route, threw objects and chanted slogans towards the presidential candidate, forcing his convoy to show again to keep away from an escalation.

Police reportedly arrested 46 suspects in reference to the September incident.

The episode triggered accusations and counter-accusations, with Obi’s political associates alleging political interference, whereas the state authorities maintained that safety coordination and correct preparations have been essential for such visits.

The newest allegation by Shija has due to this fact revived considerations in regards to the security and freedom of motion of political figures within the state, significantly when their engagements contain communities affected by insecurity.

Yelewata bloodbath stays central to safety considerations

Yelewata, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, grew to become the main target of nationwide consideration following the lethal assaults on June 13 and 14, 2025, which claimed lots of of lives and displaced residents.

The assaults intensified considerations over persistent insecurity in Benue, the place communities have repeatedly confronted lethal violence, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.

The proposed go to by Obi is meant, in accordance with the NDC, to offer a possibility to determine with bereaved households and pay tribute to those that misplaced their lives.

The deliberate wreath-laying ceremony can be anticipated to attract consideration to the persevering with humanitarian penalties of the assaults and the necessity for lasting safety in affected communities.

However, the disagreement over the go to has positioned the query of political exercise, public security and the therapy of victims’ households on the centre of the unfolding controversy.

While the NDC insists that Obi’s go to ought to proceed with out intimidation, the state authorities says it’s dedicated to defending all guests and sustaining public order.

With each side publicly stating their positions, consideration is now on the safety companies and the preparations for the presidential candidate’s motion between Yelewata and Makurdi.

The authorities has denied any plan to frustrate the go to, whereas Shija has insisted that the celebration won’t be deterred. The precise conduct of the go to shall be an necessary check of the assurances given by the authorities and the NDC’s dedication to a peaceable engagement.