The Benue State Government has distanced itself from the incident involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whose convoy was allegedly stopped by some youths during his visit to the state on Tuesday.
Kula Tersoo, the governor’s chief press secretary, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the government was unaware of Obi’s travel to the state.
“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.
“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, and if he is going to any state, the security of the host state should know so as to provide security for him.”
Tersoo, who was surprised that teenagers could prevent Obi from entering the state, stated that no youth were working on behalf of the government and that Obi posed no threat to the governor.
“We were surprised that youth would stop someone; youth cannot do anything on behalf of the 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 on his way to Yelewata to visit the relatives of victims of the June 2025 massacre when his convoy was halted by several youths at Gyado Villa on Gboko Road.
As at the time of reporting this article, Obi was claimed to have returned to Abuja.
The governorship candidate of the NDC in the state, Prof. Terhemba Shija, in a telephone contact with our correspondent, stated that Obi was headed to Yelewata to see the families of victims of the June 2025 massacre.
According to him, the team had officially alerted the security officers in the state about Obi’s visit.
He said, “If Obi is not a presidential candidate, INEC has lifted the ban on the campaign, and we duly informed the police and DSS about his visit to the state; they deployed police and DSS to be with us.
Speaking on if the state government was informed of Obi’s visit, Prof. Shija dismissed the question, stating that the state government should be aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission had lifted the ban on campaigns.
“But the government is aware that INEC has lifted the ban on campaigns; do we need to take permission from the candidate?” Professor Shija asked.
Meanwhile, the state command acknowledged that Obi’s people informed them about his visit to the state.
In a terse statement made on Tuesday, the command spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, stated that the reason youths prevented Obi from entering the state was unclear.
Meanwhile, the state command acknowledged that Obi’s people informed them about his visit to the state.
In a terse statement made on Tuesday, the command spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, stated that the reason youths prevented Obi from entering the state was 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.
“Further updates will be provided accordingly,” the PPRO said.
