The Benue State Government is allegedly making efforts to prevent Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, from visiting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Obi, who has remained active in humanitarian engagements since the general election, recently embarked on visits to IDP camps in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Nasarawa. During these visits, he interacted with displaced persons, distributed relief materials, and called for stronger government support.
His engagement in Plateau State particularly attracted widespread attention, as he met with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and visited victims of violent herdsmen attacks.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that Obi’s team had contacted the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), led by Sir James Iorpuu, to officially notify them of the intended visit and request access to designated camps.
However, the planned visit has reportedly stirred political unease within the state government.
Advisers close to Governor Hyacinth Alia are said to have warned against allowing Obi entry into the IDP locations, arguing that the visit could carry political implications. Some officials allegedly view the move as an attempt by former Governor Samuel Ortom, a known supporter of Obi in 2023, to regain political relevance and undermine the current leadership.
Additional sources claim that political strategy is at the heart of the matter.
“It is believed that allowing Obi access at this time could fuel ongoing speculations that Governor Alia is considering leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid tensions with some national leaders of the party.
“The governor is very conscious of his relationship with the Presidency and party hierarchy. Allowing Obi’s visit would not only trigger local political drama with Ortom but might also be interpreted in Abuja as a subtle alignment with the opposition at a time when Alia is battling internal party issues. This is not the kind of message he wants to send to the President.
“Such an association, especially with a high-profile opposition figure like Obi, could be politically damaging for Alia, who has been working to consolidate his hold on the state and maintain good standing with President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” a source told DAILY POST on Monday.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi achieved an unexpected victory in Benue State, securing more than 308,000 votes—a result attributed largely to Ortom’s endorsement and support from the youth, religious groups, and middle-class communities.
Given this context, those close to Alia reportedly persuaded him to halt the planned visit, fearing it could reignite old political rivalries and offer Ortom or the Labour Party a renewed foothold in the state.
Following this, the governor allegedly directed his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, to issue a public statement discouraging “unapproved high-profile visits” to the state.
“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,” Kula warned.
Though Peter Obi was not directly mentioned in the press release, insiders confirmed that the message was meant to deter the former Anambra governor from going ahead with his outreach in the state.
One senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The governor is not comfortable with Obi’s visit, especially with the political undertones it carries.”
“The camps are a sensitive issue and we cannot allow anyone to politicise the suffering of our displaced people,” the source added.
