The Ndigbo Progressive Forum (NPF) has accused the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of actions capable of heightening ethnic tension in the country following an alleged attack on the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in the state.
The group, in a statement issued yesterday by its National President, Igwe Collins, alleged that political thugs linked to the governor attacked Obi and members of his entourage during the former Anambra State governor’s visit to Benue.
Obi had reportedly travelled to Yelwata in the state to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) when the incident occurred.
The NPF described the alleged attack as disturbing and warned that such incidents could have serious consequences for national unity, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group demanded that Governor Alia publicly apologise to Obi and the Igbo community within seven days, threatening to stage a protest at Eagle Square, Abuja, if the demand was not met.
It also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine those responsible for the alleged attack.
According to the group, Obi, as a Nigerian citizen and presidential candidate, had the constitutional right to move freely across the country and campaign in any state.
It further claimed that Obi’s team had obtained clearance from the Benue State Police Command before embarking on the visit.
The forum alleged that Governor Alia, upon learning of Obi’s planned visit, summoned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing through his Special Assistant on Youth Affairs and allegedly directed them to prevent the NDC candidate from proceeding with the visit.
The group said the development warranted an urgent investigation, insisting that the incident could fuel ethnic tension if not properly addressed.
It also urged President Tinubu to publicly condemn the alleged attack and distance himself from any action that could suggest political intolerance ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement said: “This is sad and we believe that the attack has to do with President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Governor Hyacinth Alia may have received an instruction from a higher authority to stop Peter Obi, who has apparently become a threat to the APC chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.
“The questions are: who is Alia working for? Who gave him the instruction to ask Benue youths to attack Peter Obi, an Igbo man, on the soil of Benue State? Was Alia acting on his own or was he acting on an instruction to protect President Bola Tinubu’s chances of winning Benue State in 2027?”
The NPF warned that continued incidents of this nature could create unnecessary ethnic divisions and have wider implications for national cohesion.
It called on residents of Benue State and political leaders to prevail on Governor Alia to avoid actions capable of escalating tension, while urging him to apologise over the incident.
The group also highlighted the economic contributions of Igbo residents to Benue State, warning that any escalation of the situation could adversely affect businesses and economic activities in the state.
The forum further faulted a statement attributed to the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, that Obi failed to notify the governor before visiting the state.
According to the NPF, Obi’s team had communicated with the state police authorities ahead of the visit and received the necessary clearance.
“Governor said yesterday that Obi didn’t inform him of his visit, so he asked thugs to attack him. This is a man who has been governor for good eight years. He also wrote the Police Commissioner in Benue State on September 7, 2026, and he was permitted through one Officer Daniel of the Command Headquarters in Makurdi,” the group alleged.
The NPF urged relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that political disagreements do not degenerate into violence or ethnic confrontation.
It said the 2027 elections should be conducted in an atmosphere where candidates and their supporters are free to campaign across the country without fear of intimidation or violence.
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