Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has revealed that his planned humanitarian visit to Benue State was thwarted by what he described as indirect obstruction from the state government led by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Obi, who has been actively visiting internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Nigeria, made the claims in a detailed statement posted on social media platform X.
He expressed disappointment over the alleged lack of cooperation from the Benue State Government, which he said stood in contrast to the reception he received from other state leaders during similar visits.
“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 wrote, adding that recent developments necessitated a public response.
He said the planned visit, scheduled for Monday, April 14, was part of a broader tour that included stops in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Nasarawa States, where Obi donated relief materials and called for urgent government intervention in the lives of displaced citizens.
According to Obi, he had initially attempted to reach Governor Alia directly to inform him of his planned visit and to request a courtesy meeting. After multiple failed attempts, he succeeded in speaking with the governor’s aide-de-camp (ADC), who assured him that the governor would return his call.
“As is my practice, I reached out to the Plateau State government to inform them of my visit, which included spending the day with the victims at the IDP camp in Bokkos, a visit I wholeheartedly embraced to extend my support, care, and compassion to fellow Nigerians in need. And in his utmost hospitality, the Plateau State Governor graciously permitted.Nigerian cultural tours
“In a similar vein, 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.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get that call until Sunday evening when he sent me a message stating he had not been able to reach his principal since the day I called. I was disturbed by how an ADC would not have been able to reach his principal for 3 days.” Obi said.
Despite the lack of formal acknowledgment, Obi said proceeded with his journey. However, he was stopped mid-transit in Akwanga by his security detail, who had received a press statement purportedly issued by the Benue State Government discouraging the visit. Obi claimed that the statement, which mirrored his itinerary, was also forwarded to him directly by the governor’s ADC.
“However, because my visit to the governor was just for courtesy and respect, I decided to proceed with my trip to Makurdi.
“Earlier today at 7am, I left Jos, and on reaching Akwanga at about 10am, my security team stopped and stated they received a press statement, purportedly from the Benue State Government, that appeared designed to stop my trip. Curiously while I was still talking with my security team on the issue, the Governors ADC sent the statement directly to me.
“The letter refers exactly to my itinerary which I had earlier conveyed to the ADC directly and to the security operatives in Benue through my own security,” Obi said in the writeup.
Obi emphasized that his intentions were purely humanitarian and not political, noting that such acts of service have long characterized his public and private life.
“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,” he added.
