Benue State Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, has accused former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, of ignoring established protocol during his visit to the state.
Iorpev said Obi’s failure to officially notify the Benue State Government of his visit raised security concerns, particularly given his status as a former governor and high-profile political figure.
The commissioner spoke while reacting to the reported blockage of Obi’s movement by some youths in the state on Tuesday.
He said the incident could have been avoided if the former governor had properly informed the state government ahead of his visit.
According to Iorpev, it was not the first time Obi had allegedly failed to follow the required protocol when visiting the 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.”
The commissioner stressed that the responsibility for providing security for high-profile visitors rested partly with the host state, making prior notification essential for proper security coordination.
Iorpev described Obi’s conduct as “courting trouble,” arguing that the state government needed adequate information about the movements and activities of prominent visitors to enable it to make appropriate security arrangements.
The incident occurred amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political leaders and potential presidential contenders intensifying engagements across various states.
The commissioner’s comments underscore the growing concern over security and protocol surrounding political visits as parties and politicians step up grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
The Benue Government, he said, remained committed to ensuring the safety of residents and visitors, but expected high-profile individuals visiting the state to comply with established procedures.
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