The Benue State Government has challenged the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to identify the government aide they accused of blocking the former Anambra State governor’s convoy from accessing Yelwata community.
The challenge was issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, who also urged Obi and the NDC to provide evidence supporting their allegation.
Kula said the state government was prepared to support a police investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable faces appropriate action.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while appearing on The Morning Show, a programme on Arise Television.
According to the governor’s spokesman, the state government was unaware of the incident when it occurred and only became aware of the alleged obstruction after photographs from the scene surfaced online.
“The incident was completely unknown to the government until we started seeing pictures of what was happening.
“But before you say, Jack, they addressed the press and accused the governor of blocking his way. Now, the governor has become an accused person.
“I challenged them that they should name that aide. They mentioned a particular aide, and we said they should go ahead and mention him.
“If there’s any evidence, the police commissioner should ensure that the person who directed this is arrested and brought to book. These are easy assignments. They have the ability to do it,” Kula said.
He maintained that if the alleged aide was identified and evidence established his involvement, the appropriate authorities should take action.
Speaking on the security situation in Benue, Kula acknowledged the challenges facing residents but said insecurity was affecting several states across the country.
“What is happening in Benue State is somehow difficult to understand. What is happening to Benue State in respect to insecurity is happening to other states.
“It’s not peculiar to Benue. But there is no excuse saying that because it’s happening to other states, we should be comfortable.
“We are not comfortable. The reverend father has said to you earlier that he is not comfortable and he is not sleeping in ensuring that the insecurity is reduced to the barest minimum.
“We now have what we can describe as relative peace in the state,” he said.
Kula added that the state government remained concerned about insecurity and was committed to reducing the threat and improving the safety of residents.
