The Benue State Government has denied allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that thugs allegedly sponsored by Governor Hyacinth Alia blocked him from accessing Yelewata to sympathise with families affected by the 2025 attacks. The government described the allegation as unfounded, accusing Obi of attempting……
The Benue State Government has denied allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that thugs allegedly sponsored by Governor Hyacinth Alia blocked him from accessing Yelewata to sympathise with families affected by the 2025 attacks.
The government described the allegation as unfounded, accusing Obi of attempting to drag Governor Alia and the state into what it described as a possible internal political dispute within the NDC.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Tuesday, September 8, the government said it had no knowledge of the alleged incident involving Obi.
“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 whether Obi was actually in Makurdi, citing what it described as his previous “antecedents of making untrue statements against the state.”
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It further maintained that Obi was not considered a threat to the governor or the state, stressing that security agencies, rather than political thugs, would be responsible for dealing with any security concerns.
“Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way,” the statement said.
“Even if he actually visited the state, and we realized that he is a threat to anyone, the security agencies are there to handle the issue, not thugs.”
According to the government, Governor Alia is opposed to the use of thuggery and has relied on recognised security agencies to maintain peace and order across the state.
“Governor Alia is a peace-loving Reverend gentleman. He is averse to the promotion of thuggery,” it said.
“In fact, his administration does not engage, patronize, or deploy thugs as instruments of governance or security.”
The government also questioned why Obi allegedly arrived in the state without formally notifying relevant security authorities of his movement.
“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 ordinarily require security coordination involving the Commissioner of Police and other relevant agencies.
The Alia administration further accused Obi of attempting to link what it described as “every fabrication” to the governor and the state government.
“We really find it difficult to understand the basis for Mr. Obi’s attempt to connect every fabrication with the Benue State Government, and Governor Hyacinth Alia in the first instance,” it said.
The government suggested that any disagreement involving Obi and NDC structures in Benue should be resolved within the party rather than blamed on 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.
It said the Alia administration would remain focused on governance and would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to create political controversies.
“Its attention remains firmly focused on delivering good governance, strengthening security and improving the welfare of the people of Benue State,” the government said.
The statement urged members of the public to disregard allegations linking the state government to the incident involving Obi.
It also maintained that Benue remained open to visitors and political actors who came to the state peacefully.
“Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace,” the statement added.
