Moses Paul, a leader in the Obidient Movement, has said the Benue State Government and the police gave conflicting accounts over the notification and security arrangements for Peter Obi’s visit to the state.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Paul discussed the incident involving Obi’s attempted visit to Yelwata, where victims of violence were affected.
According to him, the Benue State Government claimed it was not aware of the visit, while the police said they had been informed and deployed security personnel for the movement.
“You can see the conflicting reports, because while the Benue State government is saying that they are not aware, the police department and commission also have put up a report to say that they were informed. I have the letter that was written to them, you know, and also they deployed security to go with us.”
Paul said the conflicting accounts were particularly concerning given the circumstances surrounding Obi’s visit and his intention to engage with victims.
“But for me, it is deeply disturbing, because again, Mr. Peter Obi is a presidential candidate. The Electoral Act of 2026 stipulated clearly, you know, his right of protection.”
He also maintained that the disagreement over whether authorities were informed should not obscure the broader issue surrounding access to victims of violence.
“And so it becomes very worrisome where, and how do we build democracy where the access to citizens, particularly those who have been slaughtered, killed, you know, without any roadblock, are now dependent upon the goodwill of incumbent authorities. This is where the issues, you know, becomes very worrisome for me, you know. And so it’s really disturbing.”
Responding to questions about the arrangements for Obi’s previous visit to Benue, Paul said he personally facilitated communication with people in the affected community.
“Yes, we communicated directly with them, I facilitated that meeting and I communicated directly with the victims involved and the traditional rulers and the officials that are within that community.”
He further said the security notification for the latest visit was linked to the fact that the visit took place during the campaign season and involved political actors.
“Because the campaigns are already on the way. The INEC has already lifted the bans on the campaign. And because there were other political actors involved, because you can see that the NDC governorship candidate was involved.”
Paul added that the documentation surrounding the visit contained details of the arrangements.
“And so following that, knowing that you’re going to have party faithfuls, you know, who are going to come to this particular engagement, as different from the normal humanitarian visitations that Mr. Peter Obi carries out, that’s why this was done.
“And you can see the documentation right there with the time and schedule and that’s why you also, you know, it’s like giving yourself a way to the government to do exactly what they want to do.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
