Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have arrived in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, ahead of a town hall meeting scheduled to hold on Wednesday.
The two political leaders arrived in the state amid excitement from supporters who gathered to welcome them.
Their arrival attracted attention as party members and residents chanted their names while they made their way into the state capital.
Obi and Kwankwaso are expected to undertake two major engagements during their visit.
These include a humanitarian trip to Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area and a town hall meeting with residents and other stakeholders in Makurdi.
The planned visit to Yelewata is particularly significant because of the deadly attack that occurred in the community in June 2025, which claimed more than 200 lives and left several families displaced.
Obi is expected to visit the memorial site erected in honour of those who lost their lives during the attack.
He will also lay a wreath at the cenotaph and meet with relatives of the victims to express his condolences and solidarity with the affected families.
The humanitarian engagement comes months after previous controversies surrounding Obi’s attempts to visit communities affected by violence in Benue State.
The NDC governorship candidate in Benue State, Professor Terhemba Shija, had earlier announced the planned visit during a press conference in Makurdi on Tuesday.
Shija explained that the visit would provide Obi with an opportunity to identify with families who lost their loved ones during the Yelewata attack.
He also clarified that the presidential candidate would not visit any government facility or internally displaced persons’ camp during the exercise.
The party had also made arrangements for a town hall meeting where Obi and Kwankwaso would interact with residents and discuss issues affecting the state and the country.
The meeting is expected to attract traditional rulers, civil society organisations, students, women, youths, labour unions and other groups.
According to information provided by the NDC governorship candidate, the gathering is scheduled to take place at the multipurpose hall of the Mission House, behind the Benue Links head office in Wurukum, Makurdi.
The visit, however, comes against the background of disagreements between the NDC and the Benue State Government over the planned humanitarian engagement in Yelewata.
Before Obi’s arrival, Shija accused the state government of making moves to frustrate the visit and prevent the former Anambra State governor from accessing the affected community.
He claimed that the party had formally notified the government about the planned activities but expressed concern over alleged threats surrounding the visit.
Shija also recalled previous incidents in which Obi’s attempts to visit communities affected by attacks in Benue were reportedly disrupted.
The NDC governorship candidate called on Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration and relevant security agencies to ensure that Obi, Kwankwaso and other party members could move freely and carry out their activities without interference.
He maintained that the party had no intention of engaging in violence and would conduct the visit peacefully.
“The visit of Mr Peter Obi is going to be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. We are not going to engage in any violence, but it must hold and it must be successful. The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, will not yield to any blackmail or intimidation,” Shija said.
The Benue State Government, however, rejected the allegations and insisted that it had no plan to stop or disrupt the presidential candidate’s visit.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, described the accusation as false, baseless and mischievous.
He maintained that Benue remained open to visitors, including politicians seeking the support of residents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commissioner also questioned the decision to associate the state government with a possible disruption of the visit, insisting that the administration had no reason to prevent Obi from entering the state.
“Benue is a land of hospitality, and every Nigerian is free to move within it, including those who seek our votes. The government has no reason to fear any visitor,” the statement read.
Iorpev also cautioned the NDC against turning the tragedy in Yelewata into a political campaign activity.
He said the suffering of families affected by the attack should be treated with respect.
“We mourn with the families of the victims every day. No one should turn that grief into a political stage, and no one should use a visit meant to console the bereaved as material for a publicity campaign,” it added.
The government further assured that it remained responsible for the security of visitors and would work with relevant agencies to maintain peace throughout the visit.