Peter Obi Reacts As Governor Hyacinth Alia Blocks Humanitarian Visit To Benue

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has said that Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia prevented him from entering the state for a humanitarian visit.

Peter Obi was scheduled to visit Benue on Monday as part of a tour to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and inspect some health facilities.

However, he expressed disappointment after being told he couldn’t continue with the visit, saying it reflected a troubling trend of turning humanitarian efforts into political issues.

According to Obi, his visit was meant to include courtesy calls and trips to IDP camps and health centers.

But the Benue government issued a statement warning against unannounced visits, citing safety concerns.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the state wasn’t informed about Obi’s planned visit.

The governor made it clear that anyone coming to the state without proper clearance should reconsider, as the government couldn’t guarantee their safety.

He also emphasized that anyone planning to visit IDP camps must first get written approval from the state’s emergency agency, adding that unauthorized visits could be seen as political events.

Peter Obi, who had already planned a trip to Plateau State on Sunday and then to Benue on Monday, said he tried several times to contact Governor Alia directly but couldn’t get through.

The former presidential candidate said he managed to reach the governor’s ADC (aide-de-camp), who promised a callback that never came.

He said the delay was frustrating, especially since the ADC later claimed he couldn’t reach the governor for three days.

“I tried repeatedly to contact the Benue state governor directly without success,” Peter Obi wrote on X.

“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.”

Obi said things took a turn when his team received a press release from the state government that appeared to be aimed at stopping his visit.

According to him, the statement mentioned the exact details of his trip, which he had earlier shared with both the governor’s aide and local security officials.

“However, because my visit to the governor was just for courtesy and respect, I decided to proceed with my trip to Makurdi,” Obi said.

“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 governor’s 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.”

Obi insisted that his visit was strictly humanitarian, aimed at promoting education, healthcare, and support for displaced people.

He also pointed out that this wasn’t the first time he had offered help in a crisis, recalling how he sought permission from then-President Goodluck Jonathan to assist during the Haiti earthquake.

“People may recall how, during the Haiti earthquake, I had to seek permission from then President Goodluck Jonathan to travel and offer support,” he said.

In Benue, Obi said he had hoped to visit a school project in Gboko, a nursing school, and one of the IDP camps before being stopped.

“I have undertaken similar missions across the country and even outside it, including the Haiti earthquake response. My intention in Benue was to visit a school project, a nursing institution, and an IDP camp in Gboko.

“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.

“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.”

“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 politicise 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.

KanyiDaily recalls that Peter Obi recently visited the Kirikiri prison in Lagos to see Yusuf Alabi, the teenager who gained attention during the 2023 elections for standing in front of his convoy.