Benue Govt Insists Obi Must Notify Alia Ahead Of Planned Visit To State

…Lawyers say no law bars candidates from visiting states

By Olakunle Olasanmi and Aza Msue

The Benue State Government has insisted that the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, must officially notify Governor Hyacinth Alia before visiting the state.

The Benue State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Solomon Iorpev, stated this while reacting to Obi’s disclosure that he would revisit the state.

But legal practitioners told LEADERSHIP that no law stops any candidate from visiting a state they desire to go to before or during an electioneering campaign.

Recall that suspected thugs attacked and blocked Obi’s convoy along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway last Tuesday.

The thugs prevented him from visiting Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with victims of the June 13, 2025 terrorist attack.

But speaking in a video shared by NaijaScope on X after the incident, Obi said he would return to Benue State despite the “ugly” incident that marred his recent visit to the state.

Obi said his visit to Benue was not political but was undertaken to show compassion and support to a community in need.

“I wanted to go around and listen to people. One of the things I want to learn, the reason why I am there, is to learn and listen to the people because you cannot solve a problem effectively without listening to the people,” Obi said.

He said he eventually left the area after his attempt to engage the youths did not work, but maintained that the incident would not prevent him from returning to the state.

“But it didn’t work. But I definitely will go back there sometime,” he said.

Reacting to Obi’s plan to revisit the state, the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Solomon Iorpev, said Obi should follow due process and inform Governor Hyacinth Alia of his proposed visit before coming.

Speaking to _LEADERSHIP_, Iorpev said the state government would not stop anybody, including Obi, from visiting the state, but he should do the right thing by informing the governor of his coming.

He said: “Many people, including the media, don’t know that Peter Obi used the alleged attack created by his NDC members to get free publicity. To him, it is a political strategy to garner sympathy, support and media coverage for free.

“The NDC presidential candidate is a content creator because he acted as a content creator. Some of Obi’s NDC members created the scene with his knowledge to stage that drama for free publicity as the campaign kicked off. We are not against anyone, including Peter Obi, visiting Benue State, but as a man of his status he should follow due process by writing officially to Governor Hyacinth Alia before coming. The governor will provide adequate security for him,” the commissioner stated.

However, legal practitioners said that no law stops any candidate from visiting any state they desire before or during an electioneering campaign.

According to them, there is Freedom of Movement in the 1999 Constitution; therefore, no one needs permission from anyone to visit a state of their choice.

“But because the candidates are politically exposed persons, a notification, not permission, is necessary,” they argued.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abdul Balogun, said there are provisions for Freedom of Movement for every Nigerian under the 1999 Constitution.

“Under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, every citizen of Nigeria has the right to move freely throughout the country and live in any part of it.

“There are no legal requirements for anyone to move freely in the country. For politically exposed persons, what is needed is notification to the Chief Executive of the state, which is the state governor, intimating him of the visit.

“You, as a sitting governor, cannot restrict the movement of anyone, except it poses danger to the generality of the people of the state,” he said.

A Professor of Law, Ajida S. Bello, agreed with the point raised by the SAN.

According to him, every citizen of Nigeria has a right to move freely under the 1999 Constitution. “No one should be restricted as long as his movement is within the confines of the law,” he said.

He described the incident involving Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as a breach of the law, which should not be excused.

“I hope arrests have been made regarding the incident in Benue State, where the NDC candidate and others were blocked by some youths from entering the state.

“Since the incident happened, close to a week now, if no arrest has been made so far, then it is sad!” he said.

Constitutional lawyer, Barrister Imeh Ukpo, warned politicians to call their supporters to order.

To him, everyone should play by the rules, so that the country can have a free election in 2027.

He condemned the act and added that no law stops anyone from visiting any part of the country.

“By now, those arrested in connection with the incident should be having their day in court, but unfortunately, the law enforcement agencies will tell you that investigations are still ongoing. I can assure you, no prosecution will take place in the next one year in this matter,” he said.