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 stopping Obi’s convoy from accessing Yelewata community in the state.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, also called on Obi and the party to produce evidence to substantiate their allegation, stressing that the government was willing to support a police investigation into the incident.

Kula made the remarks on Wednesday while appearing on The Morning Show, an Arise TV programme.

According to him, the state government was not aware of the incident when it occurred and only became aware after photographs showing the alleged obstruction emerged online.

He said: “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 maintained that if the alleged aide was identified and evidence established his involvement, the appropriate authorities should take action against him.

Addressing concerns over insecurity across Benue, the governor’s spokesman acknowledged the challenges confronting residents but said the situation was not exclusive to the state.

He said: “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 added that the state government remained concerned about insecurity and was committed to reducing the threat to the lowest possible level.