The Benue State Government has strongly rejected allegations by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, that suspected thugs linked to the state government prevented him from accessing Yelewata to visit and sympathise with families affected by the 2025 attacks.
The state government described the allegation as unfounded and an attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of Benue into what it suggested could be an internal political disagreement within the NDC.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor said the administration had no knowledge of the alleged incident involving Obi and maintained that the state government did not deploy thugs to obstruct the former Anambra State governor’s movement.
The statement said the government was particularly concerned by what it described as repeated allegations against the state and Governor Alia, adding that the administration had no reason to interfere with Obi’s activities in Benue.
“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about,” the statement said.
The government also questioned Obi’s account of his movement within the state, suggesting that, based on what it described as his previous statements concerning Benue, there were reasons to question whether he actually visited Makurdi, the state capital, on Tuesday.
It further dismissed any suggestion that Obi constituted a political or security threat to Governor Alia.
“Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way,” the government said.
According to the statement, even if Obi’s visit had presented a genuine security concern, the appropriate response would have been through recognised security agencies rather than the use of political thugs.
The state government described Governor Alia as a peace-loving clergyman who, it said, was opposed to the use of thuggery as an instrument of governance.
“Governor Alia is a peace-loving Reverend gentleman. He is averse to the promotion of thuggery,” the statement said.
It maintained that the Alia administration neither engages nor patronises or deploys thugs for governance or security purposes. Instead, it said, the governor remained committed to the rule of law and depended on established security institutions to maintain peace and order across the state.
The government also raised questions about the security arrangements surrounding Obi’s visit, noting that a presidential candidate travelling to a state would ordinarily require coordination with relevant security authorities.
“It is therefore curious that an individual presenting himself as a presidential candidate could arrive in a state without the relevant security authorities being formally informed of his movement,” the statement said.
It added that such a visit would normally attract the attention of the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies, particularly given Obi’s status as a presidential candidate and the security challenges facing parts of the state.
The Benue Government said it was difficult to understand what it described as Obi’s attempt to associate alleged incidents with the state government and Governor Alia.
It suggested that if the NDC presidential candidate was experiencing disagreements or political challenges within the party’s Benue structure, such matters should be handled through the appropriate internal mechanisms of the party rather than being attributed to the state government.
“If Mr. Obi is confronted with disagreements or internal political challenges within his party structure in Benue State, those issues should be resolved within the party rather than being conveniently transferred to the State Government,” the statement said.
The government insisted that the Alia administration would not allow political controversies to distract it from its responsibilities to the people of the state.
It said its attention remained focused on governance, security and the welfare of Benue residents, rather than engaging in political exchanges with opposition figures.
“The Alia administration will not be distracted by attempts to manufacture political controversies where none exists,” the statement added.
The government consequently urged members of the public to disregard allegations linking the state administration to the incident involving Obi and insisted that Benue remained open to visitors, political actors and other Nigerians who came into the state peacefully.
The statement came against the backdrop of heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major political parties and their presidential candidates increasingly visiting states to engage supporters and meet communities.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the NDC, had reportedly visited Benue in connection with communities affected by attacks in the state. His account of being prevented from reaching Yelewata has generated political reactions, with the state government now firmly denying involvement.
The exchange highlights the increasingly contentious political atmosphere surrounding security and political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the Benue Government has rejected any responsibility for the alleged obstruction, the dispute is likely to continue to attract public attention, particularly given the sensitivity of security issues and the political significance of visits by presidential candidates.
For now, the state government maintains that no officials or persons acting on its behalf were authorised to obstruct Obi’s movement, stressing that legitimate visitors remain welcome in Benue provided they come in peace and observe appropriate security protocols.
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