Benue Govt Breaks Silence On Peter Obi’s Convoy Incident

The Benue State Government has said it had no prior knowledge of the visit by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, to the state following an incident involving his convoy on Tuesday.

According to Ireporter Online, Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked by a group of youths at Gyado Villa along the Gboko Road while he was travelling to Yelewata.

The former Anambra State governor was said to be on his way to visit families and residents affected by the deadly attack in Yelewata, where several people reportedly lost their lives.

Reacting to the development, the Benue State Government, through the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said officials were not informed in advance about Obi’s planned visit.

Tersoo stated that prior notice of the visit would have enabled the appropriate authorities in the state to make adequate security arrangements and respond more quickly to any situation that arose.

He also raised concerns about the security arrangements surrounding Obi, noting that as a presidential candidate and former governor, his movements should involve adequate security coordination.

The governor’s aide further rejected allegations that the youths who reportedly stopped the convoy were acting on behalf of the Benue State Government.

According to him, the Alia administration does not patronise or deploy thugs and had no involvement in the incident.

Tersoo also dismissed any suggestion that Obi posed a political threat to Governor Alia, insisting that there was no reason for the state government to prevent him from entering or moving freely within Benue State.

“We were not aware of his coming to the state,” Tersoo said, adding that the government only became aware of the incident after reports began to emerge.

He maintained that proper communication with security authorities in the state could have helped ensure adequate protection during Obi’s visit.

The incident involving Obi’s convoy has continued to generate reactions, with questions being raised over the circumstances surrounding the reported blockade as the former governor travelled to Yelewata to sympathise with victims and families affected by the earlier attack.