IDPs: Obi, Gov Alia disagree over planned visit to Benue

…my visit is for good causes -Obi
…you must get approval first -Alia

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, and Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, are locked in a disagreement over a planned visit to the state by Obi.

The visit, meant to have taken place on Monday, April 14, was halted abruptly in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, after Obi and the governor failed to reach an agreement over his intentions.

Both sides gave their positions on the development on Monday.

c in “health education, education and caring for our people in need”, the governor insisted that the normal procedure was for Obi to get a “written permission” before the visit because of the apparent political and security tensions it might generate.

The former governor of Anambra State had earlier visited Plateau State where he made a donation to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who had been chased away from their homes by security challenges.

The second leg of his visit was planned for Benue State on Monday, which didn’t happen eventually.

Taking to his X handle to voice his frustrations, Obi recounted the efforts he made to reach Alia directly without success, noting that he had deep respect for the governor.

“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”, he wrote.

Obi wrote further, “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 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.

“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.”

He prayed to God that Nigeria should grow beyond the temptation to “politicise everything but allow citizens to exist.

But, Alia, in a statement issued earlier by his media aide, Tersoo Kula, expressed worries over Obi’s visit, saying that he did not want a situation that would further compound the myriads of challenges the state government was already battling.

“The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, wishes to inform the public that he is not expecting any August visitor to the state today.

“He is currently engaged in high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state.

“Therefore, he strongly advises against any group or high profile individual(s) attempting to enter the state for any kind of visit that may generate political assemblies without prior approval”, the statement reads partly.

Advising Obi to reconsider his plans, the statement added, “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.

“Also the public is to note that all individuals or groups intending to visit IDPs in Benue State must first seek and obtain written permission from Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).

“We urge security agents and the public to take note of this announcement and maintain peace and order in the state.”

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