The Benue State Government has denied knowledge of a visit by NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, following reports that his convoy was blocked by youths in Guma LGA.
Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo told Vanguard that neither Governor Hyacinth Alia nor the government was aware of Obi’s reported visit to Yelewata, a community where over 200 people were recently killed. Tersoo questioned why security agencies were not notified ahead of the visit, stressing that a presidential candidate requires adequate security coordination with the Police, DSS, and Civil Defence.
He dismissed suggestions that the governor deployed youths to block Obi, saying Governor Alia does not promote thuggery. Tersoo added that the governor received no security briefing about the visit, stating: “The governor is not aware. So you will even doubt if he came to this state at all”. He noted that proper security arrangements would have prevented any blockade by youths.