Daud Olatunji
The Benue State Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, of repeatedly ignoring the state government’s protocol during his visits to the state.
Iorpev made the allegation on Tuesday while reacting to an incident in Makurdi, where youths reportedly blocked Obi’s convoy during his visit to the state.
The commissioner said Obi, being a former governor and a high-profile political figure, ought to have formally notified the state government before embarking on the visit.
According to him, such notification would have enabled the state authorities to make adequate security arrangements and ensure the safety of the former Anambra State governor.
“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.
“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 said.
The commissioner alleged that Tuesday’s incident was not the first time Obi had visited Benue without notifying the government.
He warned that the continued disregard for protocol could create unnecessary tension between Obi and the state authorities.
“This is not the first time he is doing this. He is just looking for our trouble. We are peace-loving and hospitable people,” Iorpev stated.
He, however, said the state government had not established the identities or motives of the youths who blocked Obi’s convoy.
Iorpev explained that Obi’s visit coincided with a gathering involving youths from the 23 local government areas of the state.
He suggested that the movement of youths from different parts of the state may have contributed to the road blockage.
“If they were coming from 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 sparked political reactions, with opposition figures condemning the blockade and raising concerns about the safety of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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