Benue government speaks on ‘blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy’

The Benue state government has distanced itself from the reported incident involving the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, whose convoy was reportedly blocked by some youths during his visit to the state on Tuesday.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said the state government was not aware of Obi’s visit.

Speaking in a telephone interview on Tuesday, Tersoo said the government would have been able to establish what happened if security agencies had been responsible for stopping Obi’s convoy.

“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,” he said.

He added that Obi, as a presidential candidate and former governor, was entitled to security protection and questioned the absence of security personnel around him.

“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 and if he is going to any state, the security of the host state should know so as to provide security for him,” Tersoo said.

Government denies involvement

Tersoo expressed surprise that youths could prevent Obi from accessing parts of the state, stressing that no youths were acting on behalf of the government.

“We were surprised that youth would stop someone, youth can not do anything on behalf of government. Our government doesn’t patronize thugs and in any case Obi is not a threat to the governor, we are not aware that Obi is coming to Benue. Am hearing it from you,” he said.

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

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

NDC candidate explains purpose of visit

The governorship candidate of the NDC in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, said Obi was on his way to Yelewata to meet families of victims of the June 2025 massacre.

Shija said the team had officially informed security agencies in the state about Obi’s visit.

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

Asked whether the state government had been informed of the visit, Shija said the government should already be aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission had lifted the ban on political campaigns.

“But government is aware that INEC has lifted ban on campaign, do we need to take permission from candidate?” he asked.

Shija described the incident as “a demonstration of fear, a clear show that Obi is the man to watch.”

He questioned why Obi would be stopped while attempting to visit families affected by the Yelewata massacre after security agencies had been notified of his movement.

Police confirm knowledge of visit

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that Obi’s team notified the command of his visit.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the police were aware of Obi’s movement to Yelewata and had provided security for the convoy.

“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,” Aondongu said.

He added that the reason the convoy was blocked by some youths remained unknown.

“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 police spokesperson said.