The Benue State Government has said it could not guarantee the safety of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during his visit to the state on Tuesday because he allegedly failed to formally notify the government ahead of the trip.

The state Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, made the disclosure while reacting to the reported blockage of Obi’s convoy by some youths in Benue.

Iorpev accused the former Anambra State governor of repeatedly disregarding established protocol by visiting Benue without officially informing the state government.

According to him, Obi, being a former governor and a high-profile political figure, was expected to notify the state government so that appropriate security and protection could be arranged for him.

He said, “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.

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

The commissioner, however, said the government was unaware of the identities of the youths who allegedly blocked Obi’s convoy.

Iorpev explained that Obi’s visit coincided with a gathering of youths drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state, suggesting that the timing of the meeting may have contributed to the road obstruction.

“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,” he said.

Obi had visited Benue as part of activities connected to his planned engagement with victims and families affected by the deadly June 2025 attack in Yelewata.

The reported incident involving his convoy has since triggered reactions from political figures with concerns raised over the safety of political actors and the conduct of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.