The Benue State Commissioner of Police has denied claims that he was asked to transmit a letter notifying Governor Hyacinth Alia of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi’s visit to the state.
The clarification comes amid controversy over Obi’s recent visit to Benue, which was reportedly aimed at meeting victims and families affected by insecurity in the state.
The development has generated differing accounts over whether the Benue State Government was adequately informed about the visit. While the state government said it had no prior knowledge of Obi’s arrival, reports indicated that Obi’s team notified security agencies about the trip.
The police commissioner’s position is significant because the disagreement over notification has become part of the wider debate surrounding the circumstances of Obi’s movement in Benue.
Obi had reportedly travelled to the state as part of a humanitarian engagement rather than for a campaign event. However, the visit attracted political attention amid heightened tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy also comes against the background of security concerns in Benue, where attacks and displacement have continued to generate national concern. The state has experienced repeated violence affecting communities and forcing residents to seek safety in other locations.
For security agencies, prior notification of visits by prominent political figures can be important for planning protection and managing public gatherings. At the same time, disagreements over notification can create tensions between political actors, state authorities and security institutions.
The Benue government has maintained that it was not informed about Obi’s visit, while supporters of the former governor have questioned whether state-government approval was required for the humanitarian trip.
The latest development therefore leaves the issue of who was formally notified as a key point in the ongoing controversy.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election and has since emerged as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics. His activities ahead of the 2027 election continue to attract considerable political attention.
