The Benue State Government has assured the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and other visitors of their safety, insisting there is no plan to disrupt his scheduled visit to Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area.
The assurance came amid allegations by the NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, that the state government was planning to frustrate Obi’s visit.
Reacting to the claim, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, dismissed the allegation, describing it as false and politically motivated.
According to him, “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 said Benue is a peaceful and hospitable state where every Nigerian is free to travel and campaign without intimidation.
He stated: “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 urged residents to remain calm and disregard what he described as unfounded allegations, adding that Governor Hyacinth Alia would not allow anyone to disrupt the peace of the state.
Peter Obi is expected to visit Yelwata, one of the communities badly affected by attacks blamed on suspected armed herdsmen, where more than 250 people were reportedly killed.