- Safiu Kehinde
2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the stoppage of his planned visit to Benue by the state governor, Alia Hyacinth.
NPO Reported that Hyacinth had halted Obi’s planned visit to the Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp in the state on Monday as the governor held that his safety cannot be guaranteed.
As contained in a statement issued by Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Obi was advised to reconsider his planned visit, stressing that the former Anambra state governor must first seek permission from Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) before visiting the IDP camp.
Reacting in a post on his official X handle on Monday evening, Obi held that he had endured much worse situation in his political.
He recounted his futile efforts to reach out to the Benue governor about his planned visit since last week.
Obi diclosed that he received Hyacinth’s statement which he alleged was issued to halt his visitation after several attempts to reach out to the governor.
The 2023 LP Presidential candidate, however, held that his visit to the governor was borne out of courtesy and respect.
He also dismissed claims of his IDP camp’s visitation being politically motivated as he recounted his pasts visitations across the country.
“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, and it continues to worsen as I strive to do things in a civilised and organized manner. The unfolding events demand that I have to start speaking out now.
“On what transpired today during my planned visit to Benue State, I am not entirely sure that the state Governor, my dear younger brother, a Reverend Father I deeply respect, is aware of this situation. Having exhausted every possible means to reach him, I am compelled to use this available platform to ensure my message is conveyed.
“On Thursday, the 10th of April, I had planned to visit Plateau and Benue State, respectively. Plateau on Sunday, the 13th of April 2025, and Benue on Monday, the 14th of April 2025. My trip included paying courtesy calls to the governors as well as visiting the IDP camps and schools of nursing in both states to give my support.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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, and 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.
“Everyone knew then how I had to get permission from the then President, President Goodluck Jonathan, that I needed to visit Haiti during the 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.