The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Benue State Government of attempting to disrupt the upcoming visit of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi. This allegation comes ahead of Obi’s scheduled visit to the state on Wednesday, where he is set to hold a town hall meeting in Makurdi and pay tribute to victims of the June 2025 massacre in Yelewata.
Terhemba Shija, the NDC’s governorship candidate in Benue, spoke to journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, insisting that security must be guaranteed for Obi and his supporters during the visit. He expressed concerns about prior disruptions to Obi’s humanitarian initiatives, recalling incidents in April 2025 and September 2026 where his efforts were allegedly thwarted.
Shija claimed that the state government had issued threats against the visit, referring to an earlier incident when suspected government supporters attempted to block Obi from entering Yelewata. Despite these challenges, Shija affirmed that the NDC had informed relevant authorities of the planned visit for safety purposes but did not seek permission to engage in political activities.
He stated that Obi’s trip is intended to be both humanitarian and political, highlighting plans to lay a wreath at a memorial for massacre victims and meet with their families. The town hall meeting is set for the multipurpose hall of the Mission House in Makurdi.
In response, the Benue State Government has dismissed the NDC’s allegations as unfounded and mischievous. Solomon Iorpev, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, stated that the government has no interest in preventing any individual from visiting the state, including political figures. Iorpev emphasized Benue’s reputation as a welcoming state and called for respect regarding the sensitive nature of the victims’ memory, urging the NDC to avoid politicizing the tragedy.
Concerns surrounding Obi’s safety have surfaced amid escalating political activities as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. Historically, Obi has faced challenges during his visits to Benue, including an incident last September where his convoy was obstructed by crowds reportedly opposing his presence, leading to heightened tensions and police involvement.
