NDC claims Benue government plans to block Obi's visit

The Benue State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Terhemba Shija, has accused the state government of trying to disrupt the visit of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the state.

Mr Shija made this claim on Tuesday during a press conference in Makurdi ahead of Mr Obi’s planned visit on Wednesday.

He said Mr Obi would go to Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area, where many people were killed in an attack in June 2025. The visit is to honor the victims and comfort their families.

Mr Shija stated that the former governor of Anambra would lay a wreath at a memorial built for the victims along Lafia Road. He added that Mr Obi would not visit any government buildings or camps for displaced persons during his trip.

He mentioned that the presidential candidate would also have a town hall meeting with residents at the multi-purpose hall of the Mission House, located behind the Benue Links head office in Wurukum, Makurdi.

Mr Shija alleged that the state government had threatened to stop Mr Obi from going to Yelewata. He recalled a previous incident where the presidential candidate’s visit to the same community was blocked.

“This very government sent thugs of the infamous No Alia, No Benue to waylay, throw stones and stop President Peter Obi’s planned visit to Yelewata town two months ago,” he said.

He called on security agencies to ensure the safety of Mr Obi and his supporters during the visit. He also urged the government not to interfere with the activities of the party.

The NDC candidate accused the government of allowing armed groups that target supporters of opposition politicians. He said, though, his party would not take the law into its own hands.

In response, the Benue State Government described Mr Shija’s allegations as false and politically motivated.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said the government had no reason to stop the presidential candidate from visiting the state.

“Benue is a land of hospitality, and every Nigerian is free to move within it, including those who seek our votes,” Mr Iorpev said.

He urged the NDC to make sure its supporters behaved peacefully, adding that the government was responsible for the safety of visitors in the state.

The commissioner also warned against using the 2025 Yelewata killings for political gain.

“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 said.

Mr Iorpev warned that security agencies would deal with anyone trying to cause trouble, regardless of their political party.

This disagreement follows a reported incident on 8 September, when Mr Obi’s convoy had to turn back after being confronted by suspected thugs and security operatives along Gboko Road in Makurdi.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the convoy was stopped near the Air Force Base shortly after arriving in the state. Videos shared by the newspaper showed men with sticks, stones, and other objects chasing the vehicles as they turned back.

Mr Obi’s campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, claimed that the men were hired to prevent the presidential candidate from entering Benue.

Mr Shija also accused the state government of being behind what happened. These allegations have not been independently verified.

Mr Obi said he wanted to visit the state to show support for communities affected by the Yelewata killings.

The September incident came after another disagreement in April 2025, when Governor Hyacinth Alia cautioned Mr Obi against making what he called an unscheduled visit to displaced persons in the state.

In a statement on 14 April 2025, the governor’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, said anyone planning to visit IDP camps needed to get approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency.

Mr Alia later defended this decision in an interview on TVC on 24 April 2025, stating that important visitors needed to inform the state government and follow security guidelines.

This latest exchange happens as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections and amid ongoing security issues in some parts of Benue State.