Peter Obi Speaks After Being Denied Access Into Benue As State Govt Denies Involvement
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA.- Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has spoken after his convoy was stopped by youths in Benue State on Tuesday, September 8.
Obi said he was in the state to condole with communities affected by recent attacks, not for campaign activities.
The former Anambra State governor was reportedly on his way to Yelewata to visit families of victims of the June 2025 massacre when his convoy was stopped by youths at Gyado Villa along Gboko Road. He subsequently returned to Abuja.
Reacting to the incident, the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it was unaware of Obi’s visit.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, told Punch that the government would have been informed if security agencies were involved in stopping Obi.
“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,” Tersoo said.
He questioned the security arrangements around Obi, noting that relevant authorities should be informed when a presidential candidate and former governor visits a state.
Tersoo also dismissed suggestions that the youths acted on behalf of the state government.
“Youths cannot do anything on behalf of government. Our government doesn’t patronise thugs and in any case Obi is not a threat to the governor,” he said.
He added that the government was surprised by the incident and only learned of Obi’s visit through reports.
The circumstances surrounding the youths’ action remain unclear.
