Benue State Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, has stated that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, is courting trouble with the state government.

Iorpev, who was reacting to the blockage of Obi by some youths on Tuesday, said this was not the first time Obi had ignored protocol by failing to officially inform the state government about his visit to the state, considering his status.

The commissioner described Obi as a high-profile person and a former governor whose security should be provided by the host state.

He said, “A high-profile person who has been a former governor of a state is coming into the state; he should have written a letter to the State Government.

“We are supposed to guarantee his safety and protection, but in an instance where no letter was written, we could not guarantee his safety.

“This is not the first time he is doing this. He is just looking for our trouble. We are peace loving and hospitable people.”

The commissioner, who said he did not know those behind the attack on Obi, however, said that Obi’s visit regrettably coincided with the meeting of youths from the 23 local government areas of the state.

“So, if they were coming from either Tarka, Gboko, Buruku, Ushongo, Konshisha or Vandeikya at the same time of his visit and blocked the road, it is unfortunate. I do not know the youths who did that,” the commissioner said. (PUNCH)

A visit by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to Benue State on Tuesday was disrupted by suspected thugs who confronted his convoy along Gboko Road in Makurdi.

Mr Obi was reportedly on a scheduled visit to the state when his convoy was stopped near the Air Force Base.

The incident, according to his campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, occurred shortly after the convoy arrived in Benue.

Ms Umoh, in a post on X accompanied by videos, alleged that suspected thugs blocked the road.

“We have just arrived in Benue State, where alleged sponsored thugs have blocked Boko Road by the Air Force Base, attempting to prevent Peter Obi from gaining access into the state,” she said.

In one of the  tending videos Mr Obi’s convoy could be seen turning back as a group of men carrying what appeared to be clubs, stones, sticks and other objects pursued the vehicles.

The men also appeared to throw objects towards the convoy as it attempted to leave the area.

Another video showed a detachment of police officers positioned between the convoy and the group.

The suspected thugs, however, appeared to breach the police line and continued pursuing the vehicles.

The convoy eventually turned back and left the area.

As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official statement on the incident and could not be reached for comment.

NDC alleges government involvement

In another video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Terhemba Shija, the NDC governorship candidate in Benue, alleged that the suspected thugs were sponsored by the state government.

The allegation had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

Addressing supporters after the incident, Mr Obi expressed displeasure over the development and said he had decided to return after being prevented from proceeding into the state.

He said he was visiting Benue to show solidarity with communities affected by the Yelewata killings in 2025.

“They killed, hundreds of people lost their life. I started to come back. And someone told me that they decided to lock the road and make sure I don’t go,” Mr Obi said.

He described the situation as unacceptable and called on Nigerians to recognise that the country belonged to everyone.

“We must have a country. People are killed every day in Benue. People want to show solidarity and comfort. People want to show that they are with them. I came here all the way this morning,” he said.

Mr Obi also criticised the use of political supporters and others to prevent people from moving freely, saying such actions would not help the country address insecurity and poverty.

April 2025: Alia stopped Obi’s planned IDP visit

The latest incident is the second reported occasion on which Mr Obi’s planned visit to Benue has been disrupted.

On 14 April 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia warned Mr Obi against making what he described as an unscheduled visit to the state.

Mr Obi was expected to visit internally displaced persons in Benue on that day.

In a statement titled “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State,” Mr Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said anyone planning to visit IDP camps in the state was required to obtain approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency.

The governor also said he could not guarantee the safety of anyone visiting the state without his knowledge or clearance.

“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed,” the statement said.

The governor further warned against visits that could result in what he called “political assemblies” without prior approval.

April 24, 2025: Alia explains why Obi was stopped

On 24 April 2025, Mr Alia explained his decision during an interview on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines.

The governor denied that the decision was politically motivated and said his primary concern was the safety of IDPs and adherence to protocols.

“I can never politicise this issue. I am the one bearing the brunt and the pains of the IDPs in my state. It’s my duty to protect them. I am the one on the ground, feeling the same sorrow and pain as the IDPs,” Mr Alia said.

He said high-profile visitors to the state should inform the state government and follow established protocols.

“If you are coming into someone’s state as a very high-profile personality, there are protocols. Your party should know, and I, as the sitting governor, should also be informed,” he said.

Mr Alia also said he needed to know the purpose of Mr Obi’s visit and what assistance he intended to provide to the displaced persons.

He dismissed claims that the decision was intended to prevent humanitarian assistance to IDPs, saying genuine humanitarian efforts were welcome but had to comply with security requirements.

Obi accused government of politicising visit

Mr Obi subsequently took to X to complain about the treatment of his planned visit, accusing the government of politicising a humanitarian intervention.

The disagreement between Mr Obi and Mr Alia therefore became an earlier point of tension over the former governor’s visits to Benue and the state government’s insistence that such visits be coordinated with relevant authorities.

Tuesday’s incident comes amid renewed attacks
The latest confrontation also comes amid renewed violence in several parts of Benue.

Communities across parts of Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum local government areas have recently experienced attacks, resulting in deaths, injuries, displacement and destruction of property.

Mr Obi’s reported visit came against that backdrop, with the NDC candidate saying his intention was to express solidarity with communities affected by the violence.

The latest incident has now raised fresh questions about political tolerance and the treatment of opposition politicians as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

While Mr Obi’s team has alleged that sponsored thugs and security personnel prevented him from proceeding into Makurdi, the allegations against the state government and security agencies had not been independently established as of the time of filing.

The Federal Government has barred ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies and other government appointees from embarking on official foreign trips without prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The government also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make evidence of valid approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation a mandatory requirement for processing official travel documents, including official, diplomatic and service visas for government appointees.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to top government officials and heads of major Federal Government institutions.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of government agencies and individuals claiming to represent the Federal Government, following the controversy surrounding the self-styled Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

The controversy has raised questions about how individuals claiming official status can undertake engagements in the name of Nigeria, including foreign engagements, without clear evidence of government authorisation.

However, the latest directive is broader and applies to Federal Government appointees generally.

The circular, titled “Non-Compliance by Government Appointees with the Requirement for OSGF Approval for Official Foreign Trips and the Mandatory Inclusion of OSGF Approval in the Processing of Official Visas,” said the government had observed that some officials continued to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining the required clearance.

It stated, “It has been observed with concern that some Federal Government Appointees continue to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), contrary to extant government directives and established administrative procedures regulating official travels outside the country.”

The SGF recalled that the government had issued several circulars over the years to regulate official foreign travel by ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, boards, committees and other public officials.

According to the circular, these directives were issued “with a view to promoting accountability, fiscal discipline and effective coordination of Government business.”

The circular listed a September 18, 2023, circular on “Guidelines for Official Travels by Cabinet Members, Heads of Agencies and Public Officials”, a March 31, 2015, circular on “Guidelines for Official Trips by Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, Boards of Corporations and Government-Owned Companies” and a September 27, 2017, circular on “Additional Cost Control Measures to Guide Foreign Trips by Ministers and Senior Government Officials.”

It also referenced a March 8, 2018, circular on “Observed Indifferent Adherence to Extant Regulations Guiding the Conduct of Foreign Trips by Public Officials” and a November 20, 2012, circular on “Further Cost-Cutting Measures and Fiscal Prudence on Travel by Cabinet Members.”

Despite the previous directives, the SGF said cases of non-compliance had persisted.

The circular stated, “Despite these directives, instances of non-compliance continue to be recorded.”

It warned that the development had broader implications for government administration, stating, “This trend undermines Government’s efforts to ensure proper coordination, accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective monitoring of official foreign engagements undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

The government consequently reaffirmed the requirement for prior clearance.

The circular stated, “Accordingly, all official foreign trips undertaken by Federal Government appointees shall continue to require prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before such trips are undertaken, except where otherwise expressly provided by law or by specific Presidential directive.”

It added, “This requirement is consistent with the principles of due process, centralised coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources, as reflected in the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition, the Financial Regulations (Revised Edition, January 2009) and other extant Government directives.”

As part of the immediate measures to strengthen compliance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to ensure that evidence of OSGF approval forms part of the documentation required for official foreign travel.

The circular directed that “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall include evidence of valid OSGF approval, where applicable, as a mandatory requirement in the processing of requests for official Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and all applications relating to official foreign travel by Government Appointees.”

The ministry was further directed to communicate the requirement to foreign missions and embassies operating in Nigeria.

It stated, “The ministry is further requested to formally communicate this requirement to all Foreign Missions and Embassies accredited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, advising that applications for Official, Diplomatic or Service Visas by Government Appointees should, where applicable, be accompanied by duly issued OSGF travel approval as part of the mandatory supporting documentation.”

The new measure therefore gives foreign missions an additional means of verifying whether a Nigerian government official travelling on official business has received the required authorisation.

The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation was also assigned responsibility for checking compliance with the directive during audit exercises.

According to the circular, “The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation shall require every government appointee who undertook an official foreign trip at public expense to produce evidence of the requisite OSGF approval during audit exercises.”

The government further warned that public funds spent on unauthorised foreign trips would be subject to scrutiny.

It stated, “Any expenditure incurred in respect of official foreign travel undertaken without the required approval shall be reported appropriately in accordance with extant Financial Regulations and applicable audit procedures.”

The directive also places a direct responsibility on accounting officers and heads of Federal Government institutions to prevent the processing of public funds for unauthorised trips.

It stated, “Accounting Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Federal Government Agencies shall ensure that no expenditure relating to official foreign travel by government appointees is processed unless the requisite OSGF approval has first been obtained.”

The SGF consequently directed all ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure compliance.

The circular stated, “All Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of this Circular.”

It further stated that the directive was effective immediately, declaring, “This circular takes immediate effect and supersedes any administrative practice inconsistent with its provisions, without prejudice to existing extant regulations governing official foreign travel.”

The circular was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President; all Honourable Ministers and Ministers of State; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; National Security Adviser; Economic Adviser to the President; Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.

It was also addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and Inspector-General of Police; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission; Chairman, Police Service Commission; Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau; Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal; Chairman, Federal Character Commission; Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission; Chairman, National Population Commission; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Other recipients listed in the circular were all permanent secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments; Clerk of the National Assembly; Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Accountant-General of the Federation; Auditor-General for the Federation; and Directors-General and Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government-Owned Companies.

The breadth of the recipients means the directive covers ministers, senior political appointees, permanent secretaries, security chiefs, heads of regulatory and anti-corruption bodies, electoral institutions, financial institutions, government agencies and government-owned companies.

The development is coming against the backdrop of the controversy over the purported PFIPC, which has drawn attention to the need for stronger verification of individuals and organisations claiming to represent the Federal Government.

The purported PFIPC and its self-styled Director-General, Adeyemi, have been at the centre of investigations into alleged impersonation and the use of questionable government documents.

The matter has also raised concerns about how purported government officials could engage public institutions and foreign entities while claiming to represent Nigeria.

The latest directive, however, does not single out the purported PFIPC or Adeyemi.

Instead, it establishes a general requirement that government appointees must obtain central approval before undertaking official foreign engagements.

By directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand evidence of OSGF approval, the government is also creating a formal verification mechanism for foreign missions processing travel documents for Nigerian officials.

The financial provisions of the circular further link official travel approval to accountability for public expenditure, as accounting officers have been directed not to process expenses relating to foreign trips unless the required approval has been obtained.

The measures are expected to strengthen the Federal Government’s control over official foreign engagements, reduce unauthorised travel and ensure that persons travelling abroad in the name of the government have the necessary approval to represent Nigeria. (PUNCH)