Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
Benue State Government has dismissed allegations that it plans to disrupt the scheduled visit of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, made the government’s position known while reacting to an allegation by the NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, who reportedly claimed that the state government was planning to frustrate Obi’s visit.
Rejecting the allegation, Iorpev said: “This allegation is false, baseless and mischievous. It is speculation dressed up as fact, and it is meant to prepare the ground for a familiar script to stage a disruption, blame the government, and harvest sympathy. This is political content creation, not truth-telling.”
The commissioner stressed that Benue remains a peaceful and welcoming state where every Nigerian is free to move around, including politicians seeking support from the people.
According to him, “The government has no reason to fear any visitor. The Governor, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is focused on rebuilding the state, restoring security and delivering projects that Benue people can see and touch. He has no time for distractions, and no government that is working like he is doing, would risk destroying its own achievements through disorder.
“We also remind the NDC that the memory of the Yelwata tragedy is sacred to us. We mourn with the families of the victims every day. No one should turn that grief into a political stage, and no one should use a visit meant to console the bereaved as material for a publicity campaign.
“Government is responsible for the safety of every visitor to the state and takes precautionary measures to ensure peaceful movement and interactions. We therefore urge the NDC to ensure its own supporters and associates conduct themselves peacefully.”
Iorpev also urged residents of the state to ignore what he described as false claims and continue with their lawful activities without fear.
He added that Governor Hyacinth Alia remains committed to protecting lives and property and would not allow anyone to threaten the peace and livelihoods of the people.
Peter Obi is expected to visit Benue State, including Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, where more than 250 people were reportedly killed in attacks blamed on suspected armed herdsmen.
The planned visit comes amid political tension following claims by the NDC that two previous attempts by Obi to visit Yelwata were frustrated. The party’s governorship candidate, Prof. Shija, had also alleged that there were fresh plans to disrupt the latest visit.
However, the Benue State Government has firmly denied the allegation, insisting that it has no intention of preventing Obi or any other Nigerian from visiting the state.
