NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, has described the recent obstruction of Peter Obi’s visit to the state as Governor Hyacinth Alia’s second attempt at preventing the NDC presidential candidate from entering Benue.
Shija said Obi’s visit was primarily humanitarian. He recalled that Obi had planned to visit IDP camps in Benue in April last year to make humanitarian contributions but was stopped by the governor for allegedly not seeking permission.
The NDC candidate further stated that over 900,000 Benue residents currently live in IDP camps after farmers lost access to their land amid insecurity.
Shija also accused Governor Alia of hostility that is fuelling rising political tensions in the state. He said there is a lot of tension in Benue principally because the governor appears to be very hostile. On several occasions, he noted, the governor has said that nobody should dare contest against him, while some of his supporters have allegedly threatened to mobilise youths against the opposition.
He added that there is a group of youths known as “No Alia, No Benue” who attend public events, including burials and weddings, chanting the slogan.
