Peter Obi Alleges Benue Government Blocked Humanitarian Visit to IDP Camps

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused the Benue State Government of deliberately obstructing his humanitarian outreach to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and health institutions in the state. 

Obi, who was on a two-day charitable mission, said he was forced to cancel the Benue leg of the trip after the government issued a public warning against “unscheduled visits,” citing security concerns. 

“I was taken aback by the reaction, as my trip was aimed at supporting health and education initiatives and visiting displaced persons, not for political engagement,” Obi wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. 

According to Obi, his outreach had kicked off in Plateau State, where he was warmly received by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. However, efforts to inform and engage Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia ahead of his visit to Makurdi reportedly met a wall of silence. 

“Despite multiple attempts to reach him directly and through his aides, I received no confirmation. Eventually, while en route to Makurdi, a press statement was issued warning against the visit,” he said. 

He revealed that the government’s cautionary statement mirrored the exact details of his itinerary — information he claimed was shared only with the governor’s aide-de-camp and local security. 

“The letter referred exactly to my itinerary, which I had earlier conveyed to the ADC directly and to the security operatives in Benue through my own security,” he added. 

The statement, signed by Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, warned individuals against visiting the state without the governor’s knowledge. 

“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,” it read. 

The government also emphasized that visitors must obtain written permission from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) before accessing IDP camps. Unauthorized visits, it warned, could be construed as political gatherings. 

Obi expressed deep regret over what he termed the growing politicisation of humanitarian efforts in Nigeria. 

“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 wrote. “Everyone knew how I had to get permission from then-President Goodluck Jonathan to visit Haiti during the earthquake.” 

He stated that his intended visits included a bishop-led school project in Gboko, a nursing school, and an IDP camp — all non-political engagements. 

“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.” 

Obi said he remains unsure if Governor Alia was personally behind the action, suggesting that the warning may not have come from him directly. 

“I am not entirely sure that the state governor, my dear younger brother — a Reverend Father I deeply respect — is aware of this situation,” he said. 

He added that while he has endured worse incidents in the past, this event compelled him to speak out publicly. 

Benue State continues to grapple with insecurity, with frequent attacks linked to herdsmen and land disputes. Just in February, several people were killed in Okpamaju and Asa communities in Otukpo LGA. Though the Alia administration has claimed progress in tackling these issues, violent clashes and displacement remain persistent. 

Obi has previously shown concern for Benue’s IDPs. During his 2023 presidential campaign, he visited former Governor Samuel Ortom and called for federal intervention, stating that the burden of caring for displaced citizens should not fall on the state alone. 

“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 live for the common good — especially for the less privileged and those in need,” he concluded.