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.


https://punchng.com/obi-accuses-benue-govt-of-politicising-idp-school-visits/