Benue government and NDC trade words over alleged plot to disrupt Obi’s visit

The Benue State Government has denied an allegation by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it plans to disrupt a visit by the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the state.

The allegation came from the party's governorship candidate in Benue, Professor Terhemba Shija, who told journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday that the state government had issued threats meant to stop Obi from visiting the Yelwata community, even though it had been formally notified of the plan, according to Blueprint. He recalled what he described as an earlier attempt to stop Obi from visiting Yelwata.

Obi was scheduled to visit Benue on Wednesday for a town hall meeting in Makurdi and a humanitarian visit to Yelwata, where dozens of people were killed in an attack in June 2025. Shija said the visit would include laying a wreath at a cenotaph built in memory of the victims along Lafia Road and meeting relatives of those who died. He said Obi would not visit any government facility or camp for displaced persons.

Shija said the party did not need permission from the state government to carry out political activities, but had told the authorities for the sake of peace and security. He urged the government and the security agencies, especially the police and the Department of State Services, to guarantee the safety of Obi, party members and others taking part.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, the state government described the allegation as "false, baseless and mischievous". It called it "speculation dressed up as fact" meant "to prepare the ground for a familiar script to stage a disruption, blame the government, and harvest sympathy", and said it was "political content creation, not truth-telling".

The government said Benue is open to visitors from across the country, including politicians seeking votes. "Benue is a land of hospitality, and every Nigerian is free to move within it, including those who seek our votes," the statement said. It said Governor Hyacinth Alia is focused on insecurity and on projects across the state and has no reason to encourage disorder.

The statement also cautioned the NDC against using the visit for publicity. "We also remind the NDC that the memory of the Yelwata tragedy is sacred to us. We mourn with the families of the victims every day. No one should turn that grief into a political stage," it said.

The government said it remains responsible for the safety of visitors and would take the necessary precautions for a peaceful visit. It urged the NDC to ensure that its supporters behave peacefully, and asked residents to disregard what it called false allegations and go about their lawful activities without fear.