Benue govt challenges Obi, NDC to name aide who blocked convoy

The Benue State Government has called on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to identify the government aide they accused of stopping Obi’s convoy from accessing Yelewata community during his visit to the state.

The demand was made by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, who also asked Obi and the NDC to present evidence to support their allegation.

Kula said the government was willing to have the matter investigated by the police and ensure that anyone found to have played a role in the alleged obstruction faces the appropriate consequences.

The governor’s spokesperson made the remarks on Wednesday while appearing on The Morning Show, a programme on Arise TV.

According to Kula, the state government had no prior knowledge of the incident and only became aware of the development after photographs showing the obstruction began circulating online.

He said: “The incident was completely unknown to the government until we started seeing pictures of what was happening. But before you say, Jack, they addressed the press and accused the governor of blocking his way. Now, the governor has become an accused person.

“I challenged them that they should name that aide. They mentioned a particular aide, and we said they should go ahead and mention him.

If there’s any evidence, the police commissioner should ensure that the person who directed this is arrested and brought to book. These are easy assignments. They have the ability to do it.”

Speaking further on the security situation in Benue, Kula acknowledged the concerns surrounding insecurity but maintained that the challenge was not exclusive to the state.

He said: “What is happening in Benue State is somehow difficult to understand. What is happening to Benue State in respect to insecurity is happening to other states. It’s not peculiar to Benue.

But there is no excuse saying that because it’s happening to other states, we should be comfortable.

We are not comfortable. The reverend father has said to you earlier that he is not comfortable and he is not sleeping in ensuring that the insecurity is reduced to the barest minimum. We now have what we can describe as relative peace in the state.”

Kula stressed that the government remained concerned about insecurity and was committed to reducing attacks and restoring greater stability across Benue.