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The Benue State Government has denied allegations that it plans to disrupt a visit by Peter Obi to the state on Wednesday, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) called on authorities to guarantee the safety of the former Anambra governor and his supporters.
Obi is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting in Makurdi and make a humanitarian visit to Yelewata, where he is expected to pay tribute to victims of the June 2025 massacre and commiserate with their families.
The NDC’s governorship candidate in Benue, Terhemba Shija, raised concerns about the visit at a news conference in Makurdi on Tuesday, alleging that the state government had issued threats aimed at preventing Obi from visiting Yelewata.
Shija recalled an earlier attempt to stop Obi from visiting the community and urged the government and security agencies to ensure the safety of the party’s presidential candidate and his supporters.
He said the party had formally notified the state government and security agencies of the planned visit, adding that preparations were in place.
“This letter addressed to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue, was received on the 10th of November, which is today,” Shija said, displaying a copy of the correspondence.
He said the party was also discussing its arrangements with security agencies, which had requested an itinerary.
“While we discuss with the security agency, all they require is that we should send them an itinerary of our visit,” he said, adding that the party would provide details of the times and locations of its activities.
The state government, through its Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said it had no reason to prevent Obi from visiting.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government described the allegation as “false, baseless and mischievous”, adding that “every Nigerian is free to move within” the state.
It said Governor Hyacinth Alia was focused on rebuilding Benue, restoring security and delivering development projects, and had “no time for distractions”.
The government also said it was responsible for the safety of visitors and would take precautionary measures to ensure peaceful movement and interactions during the visit.
It urged the NDC to ensure its supporters conducted themselves peacefully, warning that security agencies would “deal firmly with any criminal-minded person who attempts to cause disorder and disrupt the peace, whoever they work for”.
The government also cautioned against turning the Yelewata tragedy into a political platform, saying the memory of the victims was sacred and that the state continued to mourn with their families.
BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO DISRUPT OBI’S VISIT.
Tuesday, 10th November, 2026
The Benue State Government has received with dismay the allegation by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Prof. Terhemba Shija, that it is planning to disrupt the visit of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to the state.
This allegation is false, baseless and mischievous. It is speculation dressed up as fact, and it is meant to prepare the ground for a familiar script to stage a disruption, blame the government, and harvest sympathy. This is political content creation, not truth-telling.
Benue is a land of hospitality, and every Nigerian is free to move within it, including those who seek our votes. The government has no reason to fear any visitor. The Governor, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is focused on rebuilding the state, restoring security and delivering projects that Benue people can see and touch. He has no time for distractions, and no government that is working like he is doing, would risk destroying its own achievements through disorder.
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, and no one should use a visit meant to console the bereaved as material for a publicity campaign.
Government is responsible for the safety of every visitor to the state and takes precautionary measures to ensure peaceful movement and interactions. We therefore urge the NDC to ensure its own supporters and associates conduct themselves peacefully.
The Benue State government encourages the good and law abiding citizens of the state to ignore falsehoods and go about their lawful businesses without fear. The Governor cares deeply for the state and will not allow anyone to disturb the peace or livelihoods.
Let no one be left in doubt though, security agencies will deal firmly with any criminal-minded person who attempts to cause disorder and disrupt the peace, whoever they work for.
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Hon. Chief Solomon Iorpev
Honourable Commissioner,
Information and Orientation
Benue State.— Benue State Government (@benuestategovt) November 10, 2026
