Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has criticized the Benue State Government for what he described as an attempt to prevent his scheduled visit to health institutions and camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Monday, Obi expressed disappointment, alleging that efforts were made to disrupt his goodwill mission in Benue. He raised alarm over how acts of charity in Nigeria are becoming entangled with political interests.
Earlier reports revealed that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration had received advice from top officials to block Obi’s access to the IDP camps, supposedly due to political sensitivities surrounding his presence.
The governor also reportedly stated that he could not guarantee the safety of high-profile visitors within the state.
Obi explained that his planned trip to Benue, set for April 14, was a continuation of a broader humanitarian initiative which had kicked off in Plateau State a day earlier. He noted that while he received backing from the Plateau State Governor, all attempts to reach Governor Alia personally yielded no results.
According to him, he was eventually able to get in touch with the governor’s aide-de-camp (ADC), who initially assured him of feedback after a scheduled meeting. However, no update came afterward.
Obi recounted that by the evening of April 13, the ADC informed him he had not been able to speak with the governor in several days. Despite this, Obi went ahead with his planned arrival in Makurdi on April 14, noting that his intention to see the governor was only a gesture of courtesy.
He further revealed that while discussions were ongoing with his security team regarding logistics, the same message from the ADC was sent to him directly.
Obi made it clear that the purpose of his visit was to offer support in the areas of healthcare, education, and humanitarian services—sectors he has consistently contributed to, even before entering public office.
“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,” he stated.
He further shared that he had planned to stop by a school project initiated by a bishop in Gboko, a nursing school, and an IDP camp—part of his ongoing efforts to stand with communities in need.
“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,” he said.
