Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has provided clarity on the circumstances that prevented the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the state.
In an interview with TVC on Thursday, Governor Alia explained that the visit did not follow the necessary protocols, adding that neither he nor state officials were officially informed about Obi’s intended visit. According to the governor, such visits, especially from prominent figures, require security vetting and formal approval.
Naturenex reports that Peter Obi, reacting to the incident, criticized the manner in which the Benue State Government handled his planned visit to the IDP camps. He also hinted at the need for a shift in his approach when addressing political matters.
However, Governor Alia insisted the decision was driven purely by security considerations and not political motives.
In his words: “I can never politicize that. I am the one bearing the brunt and the pains and the sorrows of the IDPs in my state.”
He continued, “The very respected Peter Obi was a Governor and if you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. A very high personality you are coming into someone’s state and you party does not even know you are coming and I the sitting Governor do not know you are coming and then you are going to where I’m protecting even most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them, they have been disbalanced and I need to protect them even some more.”
Governor Alia emphasized that his stance had nothing to do with political rivalry or personal differences but was in the best interest of the IDPs’ welfare and security.
He also dismissed Obi’s claim that he was unreachable. He stated that if direct contact was difficult, other senior government officials were available for communication.
