‘We Doubt Peter Obi Visited Makurdi’—Governor Alia Replies NDC Presidential Candidate
The Benue State Government has strongly rejected claims by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that state-sponsored thugs blocked him from entering the state. Governor Hyacinth Alia described the allegations as entirely untrue, framing them as a calculated attempt to drag his administration into the internal fractional politics of the opposition NDC.
In a scathing response issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the state administration stated it has absolutely no knowledge of the incident described by Obi.
‘We Doubt He Even Visited Makurdi’
The state government went as far as questioning whether the former presidential candidate even set foot in the state capital, Makurdi, citing what it described as a history of misleading statements.
“Let it be known that Mr. Peter Obi is not a threat to Governor Alia in any way,” Kula said in the official statement. “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.”
The statement emphasized that Governor Alia, a Catholic Reverend Father, is deeply committed to the rule of law. It noted that the current administration does not engage, patronize, or deploy thugs for governance or security purposes.
Security Agencies Kept in the Dark
The Benue State Government expressed surprise that a high-profile political figure would travel without notifying local law enforcement. According to Kula, a standard visit from a presidential candidate would naturally involve coordination with the Benue State Commissioner of Police and other federal security agencies to ensure safety.
The administration suggested that Obi’s issues stem from internal divisions within the local NDC structure rather than state interference.
“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,” Kula added.
Focus on Governance
Reiterating its commitment to the peace and progress of the state, the Alia administration urged the public to completely disregard the allegations.
The government maintained that it remains focused on delivering good governance, improving citizen welfare, and strengthening security through official, recognized institutions.
