—Condemn Benue Govt for stopping previous visits

By Felix Umande

The Yelewata Community Elders in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State have condemned the alleged deployment of thugs to prevent NDC Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from visiting the community, even as it formally invited him to return and condole with victims of the deadly attack.

The statement was made on Saturday during their meeting at the foot of the memorial monument in Yelewata, alleging that apart from the blockade in Makurdi, the Chairman of Guma LGA, Hon. Orwough Maurice, also deployed thugs to Yelewata “to intimidate the people and discourage them from welcoming Peter Obi.”

The community’s condemnation follows the recent blockade of Obi’s convoy by youths along the Gboko-Makurdi road while on his way to Yelewata.

They noted it was the second time the Alia-led administration had prevented Obi from visiting Yelewata to sympathize with victims.

“Why is the case of Yelewata different?” the elders queried, noting that Obi was allowed to visit Otukpo-Nobi in August where he condoled with families, donated relief materials and paid medical bills.

The elders also accused the state government of blocking President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Yelewata earlier on the grounds that “the road had been cut off by heavy rainfall,” and of chasing away humanitarian organizations, including American aid worker, Alex Barbir, who came to help rebuild the community.

They further alleged that the government has prevented NGOs from rebuilding the Yelewata Market, which was razed during the attack.

“The government that failed to deploy adequate security personnel to protect Yelewata during the attack is now hindering assistance from reaching the people of Yelewata,” the elders lamented, asking, “What is actually the offence of the Yelewata people to the Alia-led government?”

But the Benue State Government has denied any involvement in the obstruction and said Governor Hyacinth Alia had no hand in it. It also questioned whether Obi properly notified authorities about the visit.

However, the Benue State Police Command said it had received information about Obi’s planned visit and had deployed personnel to provide security.

Meanwhile, the Northern States Christian Elders Forum, NOSCEF, also condemned the incident, describing it as “disturbing” ahead of the 2027 elections and warning against political intimidation in Nigeria’s democratic process.

With the controversy unresolved, Yelewata elders have now publicly challenged the state government and extended an invitation to Peter Obi to visit the community.

Whether the NDC candidate will return to complete the humanitarian mission that was aborted or not, remains to be seen.

NDC Accuses APC of Political Intimidation, Govt Says Allegations Are “Unfounded”

By Felix Umande

The convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was attacked in Makurdi on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as he visited Benue State to commiserate with victims of the 2025 attacks in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area.

The Benue State Government has, however, denied any involvement, describing the allegations as “unfounded.”

According to the NDC Benue State Chapter, “a handful of thugs attacked his convoy, throwing stones and chanting slogans including ‘Obi should go back,’ ‘Tinubu must stay,’ and ‘No Alia, No Benue.’”

The party said the incident occurred while Obi was in the state capital to identify with victims of recent attacks. It also claimed that relief materials worth “billions of naira” brought by Obi were looted by hoodlums during the incident.

The NDC condemned the attack as “senseless, unacceptable, and a disturbing indication of the growing intolerance toward opposition voices in the State.” The party linked it to what it called the government’s failure to adequately address security challenges, including persistent attacks by armed groups suspected to be Fulani militias.

Reacting to the incident, Peter Obi said he was not in Benue “to cause chaos but to sympathize with victims of the attacks and identify with their pain.” He described the attack as an infringement on his fundamental human rights, especially with political campaigns now declared open by INEC.

Obi appealed to supporters to remain calm and shun reprisals. He described the action as “a sign of nervousness” by the APC ahead of elections, and expressed confidence that the NDC would prevail.

NDC Governorship Candidate, Prof. Terhemba Shija, also condemned the attack and warned against acts capable of provoking tension.

NDC State Chairman, Mr. Ohini Ojegbe, urged Benue people to reject political intimidation, reaffirming that the NDC is anchored on “rule of law, justice, accountability, inclusion, and service to the people.”

The party has called on security agencies to investigate and bring those responsible, as well as any sponsors, to justice.

In a swift response, the Benue State Government, through Chief Press Secretary Sir Tersoo Kula, rejected the claims “in the strongest terms.”

“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about,” the statement said. It described the allegations as “a desperate attempt to drag Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue people into what may be an internal political matter within the NDC.”

The government said Governor Alia “is averse to the promotion of thuggery” and does not “engage, patronize, or deploy thugs.” It added that security agencies, not thugs, are responsible for handling threats.

The statement also questioned Obi’s visit, saying it was “curious that an individual presenting himself as a presidential candidate could arrive in a state without the relevant security authorities being formally informed.”

“We therefore urge the public to disregard the allegations linking the State Government to any incident that happened around the NDC Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi,” Kula stated. “Benue remains open to legitimate visitors, political actors and all Nigerians who come in peace.”

Ortom, Aondoakaa Rally Zone C for PDP, Accuse Alia Govt of Neglect

By Felix Umande

Otukpo, the capital of Benue South Senatorial District, came to a standstill on Saturday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially flagged off the campaign of Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, for the 2027 senatorial election.

The event at St. Andrew’s Primary School Field drew an overwhelming crowd of supporters, party leaders, and defectors from other parties, which the PDP described as a “powerful expression of unity, hope, and determination.”

In a statement, the Benue PDP commended the turnout, saying it reflected the people’s desire for “purposeful representation, responsive leadership, accountability, and meaningful development.”

State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Awulu Adaji, who presented party flags to Senator Moro, four National Assembly candidates and eleven State Assembly candidates, commended party leaders including former Governor Chief Samuel Ortom, Governorship Candidate Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, and other stakeholders for strengthening the party’s resolve for an “issue-based, peaceful, and inclusive” campaign.

Senator Moro said his re-election bid was a “renewed commitment to the people” and not just a quest for another term. He accused the Alia-led administration of failing Zone C despite receiving over ₦35 billion monthly from the Federation Account in the last three years.

“The Alia-led administration has completely failed the people of Benue South Senatorial District,” Moro said, challenging the government to provide factual evidence of its achievements.

He listed his record in the Senate, including sponsoring about 16 bills, moving 16 motions, and attracting projects to all nine local government areas in Zone C.

Former Governor Chief Samuel Ortom urged voters to unite behind Senator Moro and all PDP candidates.
“This election is an opportunity to choose credible leadership, progress, accountability, and meaningful development. Let us stand united, support our candidates, and cast our votes for the party that represents our collective hopes and aspirations,” Ortom said.

PDP Governorship Candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, who appeared with running mate Dr. Oyije Ochaekiti Ogbenjuwa, described the PDP as the team committed to good governance and development. He lamented the neglect of Zone C under the current administration despite “unprecedented resources” and assured that a PDP government would address the zone’s needs in 2027.

A major highlight of the rally was the defection of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties to the PDP. They unanimously adopted Senator Moro as their consensus candidate for 2027.

Prominent APC chieftain in Zone C, Barrister John Ochoga, also defected to the PDP with his supporters.

Other dignitaries present included PDP Senatorial Candidates for Benue North-West, Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Ortom, and Benue North-East, Hon. Thomas Tyolumun Unongo, as well as members of the State Executive Committee.

The PDP said the massive turnout “has sent a strong message that the PDP is ready, the movement is growing, and the journey to victory has begun.”