The Benue State Government has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, of failing to follow established protocol during his visit to the state, following an incident in which some youths reportedly blocked his movement on Tuesday.

The Benue State Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, said Obi’s failure to formally notify the state government of his visit made it difficult for the authorities to make adequate security arrangements for him.

Reacting to the incident, Iorpev described Obi as a prominent political figure and former governor whose visit, he argued, should ordinarily have been officially communicated to the host government.

“A high-profile person who has been a former governor of a state is coming into the state; he should have written a letter to the State Government,” the commissioner said.

According to him, proper communication would have enabled the Benue State Government to put necessary security arrangements in place and guarantee the safety of the former Anambra State governor.

“We are supposed to guarantee his safety and protection, but in an instance where no letter was written, we could not guarantee his safety,” Iorpev stated.

The commissioner further alleged that this was not the first occasion Obi had visited Benue without formally informing the state authorities, suggesting that such an approach could create unnecessary difficulties.

“This is not the first time he is doing this. He is just looking for our trouble. We are peace loving and hospitable people,” he said.

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Iorpev, however, said he had no information about the identities of those responsible for blocking Obi’s movement, stressing that the incident coincided with the gathering and movement of youths from across Benue State’s 23 local government areas.

He explained that the situation may have resulted from the convergence of people travelling from different parts of the state at the same time as Obi’s visit.

“So, if they were coming from either Tarka, Gboko, Buruku, Ushongo, Konshisha or Vandeikya at the same time of his visit and blocked the road, it is unfortunate. I do not know the youths who did that,” the commissioner said.

The incident has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding Obi’s visit to Benue, with the state government maintaining that formal communication and adherence to protocol are important, particularly when high-profile political figures travel across states.

The Benue Government insisted that the state remains peaceful and welcoming, while maintaining that proper coordination between visiting dignitaries and relevant authorities is necessary to ensure security and avoid situations that could disrupt public order.

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