MAKURDI, Nigeria — The Benue State Government has officially distanced itself from an incident on Tuesday involving the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, whose convoy was intercepted and blocked by youths in Makurdi, the state capital.
The former Anambra State governor was en route to Yelewata to pay a condolence visit to families of victims affected by the June 2025 massacre when his entourage was stopped at Gyado Villa along the Gboko Road axis. Following the blockade, Obi’s team was forced to turn back and return to Abuja.
Government Denies Knowledge and Thuggery Allegations
Reactions swiftly followed the incident, with Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, clarifying that the state executive had no prior knowledge of Obi’s arrival or schedule in Benue State.
Tersoo noted that as a former governor and high-profile presidential candidate, Obi’s security protocol should have involved state-level coordination to prevent such disruptions.
“We were surprised that youth would stop someone. Youth cannot do anything on behalf of 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 was coming to Benue.” — Kula Tersoo, Chief Press Secretary
NDC Leadership Reacts, Cites Security Clearance
Contradicting claims of unannounced movements, the Benue State governorship candidate for the NDC, Professor Terhemba Shija, stated that the party officially notified security authorities prior to Obi’s arrival.
Shija confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) were formally briefed and had dispatched officers to accompany the presidential candidate’s team.
Shija described the blockade as an intentional attempt to restrict a legitimate political candidate, adding that the political atmosphere should allow free movement following the official lifting of campaign restrictions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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