The Benue State Government has denied any knowledge of or involvement in an incident in which youths blocked the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi during his visit to the state on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.


Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo (also referred to as Tersoo Kula), said in a telephone interview that the government was not informed of Obi’s trip. 


“We are not aware of his coming to the state, and if it were to be security agents that stopped him, it would have been easy for us to find out what happened,” he stated. 


Tersoo added that as a presidential candidate and former governor, Obi is under federal protection and that host-state security should normally be notified in advance.


He expressed surprise that youths had intercepted the convoy, stressing that none were acting on behalf of the government. 


“Our government doesn’t patronize thugs and in any case Obi is not a threat to the governor. We are not aware that Obi is coming to Benue. Am hearing it from you,” Tersoo said.


Obi was reportedly travelling to Yelewata (also spelled Yelwata) to visit families of victims of a June 2025 massacre when his convoy was stopped by youths at Gyado Villa along Gboko Road near the Nigerian Air Force Base and Makurdi Airport. 


Videos circulated showing stick-wielding youths blocking the road and chanting against his entry. 


Obi later indicated he had gone to the state for a condolence visit rather than a campaign stop and returned to Abuja.


NDC governorship candidate in Benue, Prof. Terhemba Shija, confirmed the purpose of the trip and said the team had notified the police and Department of State Services (DSS), who provided security escorts. 


He dismissed the need for prior state-government permission, noting that INEC had lifted the ban on campaigns. 


Shija described the blockade as “a demonstration of fear” and questioned why a notified, legitimate candidate should be stopped.


The Benue State Police Command acknowledged awareness of Obi’s movement to Yelwata and confirmed that operatives provided security. 


Spokesperson DSP Peter Aondongu said the reason the youths blocked the convoy remained unknown and that the incident was under investigation.


The state government has maintained it does not use thugs and was completely unaware of the visit.