Stop lying against me, I never sent thugs to block you from entering Benue – Gov Alia warns  Peter Obi

The Benue State Government has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, of making false claims against Governor Hyacinth Alia over the blockade of his convoy in Makurdi on Tuesday.

The government was reacting to allegations that suspected thugs linked to the state government prevented Obi from proceeding to Yelewata, where he was expected to meet families affected by the 2025 attack on the community.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, rejected the allegation and insisted that neither Governor Alia nor his administration had anything to do with the incident.

“The allegations are unfounded and desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC),” Kula said.

He said the government had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the incident and accused Obi of having a history of making what he described as untrue statements against the state.

“Based on his antecedents of making untrue statements against the state, we have every reason to doubt whether he visited Makurdi, the state capital today,” he added.

Kula maintained that Obi was not a threat to Governor Alia, saying the administration would rely on security agencies rather than political thugs if there were legitimate security concerns.

“Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way. 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,” he said.

The governor’s spokesman also denied that the Alia administration patronises or deploys thugs, maintaining that the government relies on recognised security agencies to maintain law and order.

Kula questioned how a presidential candidate could visit a state without the relevant security authorities being formally informed, saying such a visit would ordinarily involve security coordination with the Commissioner of Police and other agencies.

He further suggested that the incident could have resulted from disagreements within the NDC in Benue rather than any action by 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,” he stated.

Kula urged members of the public to disregard allegations linking the government to the incident, stressing that Benue remained open to political actors and other Nigerians visiting the state peacefully.

The Benue State Police Command had earlier confirmed that Obi’s convoy was blocked by some youths during his movement to Yelewata.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said police operatives provided security for Obi’s movement, adding that the reason the youths blocked the convoy remained unknown.

The police said an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident was ongoing.