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Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the handling of his planned visit to Benue State, alleging that efforts to block his humanitarian trip reflect the growing politicisation of good causes in the country.
In a statement shared on Monday via X, Obi expressed disappointment over the reaction from the Benue State Government to his scheduled courtesy call and planned visits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps and health institutions in the state.
“Ordinarily, I would not have commented on this issue, as I have endured far worse situations in my political life since I declared for the presidency,” Obi said. “The unfolding events demand that I have to start speaking out now.”
According to Obi, his trip, initially scheduled for April 14, was part of a two-state visit, starting in Plateau on April 13 and continuing in Benue the next day. He explained that while the Plateau State Governor warmly received his intention to visit, he was unable to secure a direct line to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
“I tried repeatedly to contact the Benue State Governor directly without success. I then successfully contacted his ADC who told me that the governor was in a very important meeting and would call me before midnight on the same day,” Obi said.
Obi noted that he received no feedback until the evening of Sunday, April 13, when the ADC informed him he had been unable to reach the governor for three days.
Despite this, Obi decided to proceed with his trip, describing his intended meeting with the governor as “just for courtesy and respect.”
However, while en route to Makurdi from Jos on Monday morning, Obi said his security team received a press statement — reportedly from the Benue State Government — which indicated that the visit was not welcome.
“Curiously while I was still talking with my security team on the issue, the Governor’s ADC sent the statement directly to me,” he added.
Obi said the statement contained details that matched his itinerary, which he had shared with the ADC and security operatives in Benue State earlier. He insisted that his visit was purely humanitarian and devoid of any political motives.
“I am forced to remind them, and all concerned, that the purpose of this journey is to support good causes in areas of critical development: health and health education, education and caring for our people in need,” he said.
Obi emphasised his history of humanitarian work, stating, “This is what I have done in my private life for years before getting into politics and even while in politics I have continued to do so.”
He added that he had previously sought presidential clearance to travel abroad for similar reasons, including during the Haiti earthquake.
“I intended to visit a school being built by the bishop in Gboko, a Nursing school and an IDP camp, actions that reflect my genuine care for the welfare of our fellow citizens, and my continuous show of love, care and compassion to citizens who have been displaced.
“May God help us as we rebuild our nation and aim to achieve a new Nigeria where we do not politicize everything but allow citizens to exist, and we all should live for the common good for less privileged Nigerians and those in need,” Obi wrote.
Meanwhile, in a statement earlier on Monday, Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, stated that the state government was unaware of any visit and could not guarantee anyone’s safety or that of any other individual entering the state without prior clearance.
In the statement titled “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State,” Alia warned that “all individuals or groups intending to visit IDPs in Benue State must first seek and obtain written permission from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA.”
“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 read.
Governor Alia also cautioned against any gatherings that could be interpreted as political, urging security agencies and residents to “maintain peace and order.”
