Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate has raised concern that the Benue State government is politicizing his intended tour of the state’s hospitals and camps for internally displaced people (IDPs).
In a statement released on Monday on his official X account, Peter Obi bemoaned what he called the increasing politicization of good causes in Nigeria and expressed dismay at what he called intentional attempts to thwart his humanitarian travel to Benue.
The Benue state governor, Father Hyacinth Alia had taken action to prevent Obi from visiting camps in the state that house Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
According to reports, top government officials cautioned Governor Alia against allowing Peter Obi to enter the IDP camps, pointing to political overtones. Alia stated that he couldn’t ensure the safety of any prominent person in the state.
Peter Obi responded by clarifying that his April 14 visit was a component of a two-state outreach that started in Plateau State on April 13.
Despite multiple attempts, he was unable to get in touch with Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia personally, even though he said the Plateau State Governor had enthusiastically welcomed his plan to visit.
Peter Obi said “Ordinarily, I would not have commented on this issue, as I have endured far worse situations in my political life since I declared for the presidency,” Obi wrote.
“But the unfolding events demand that I begin to speak out.
“I tried repeatedly to contact the Governor directly without success. I eventually reached his ADC, who told me the Governor was in an important meeting and would get back to me before midnight,”
Obi stated that he didn’t receive any response until Sunday night, April 13, when the ADC acknowledged that he hadn’t been able to get in touch with the Governor for three days. Obi insisted that he decided to go ahead with his Monday morning visit to Makurdi in spite of this, stating that the meeting with the governor was only meant to be a courtesy call.
“Curiously, while I was still discussing the issue with my security detail, the Governor’s ADC sent the same statement directly to me.
“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,”
“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 politicize everything but allow citizens to exist, and we all should live for the common good for less privileged Nigerians and those in need,” Obi said.
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[…] Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential aspirant to the 2023 general elections, has poured his lamentations over the conduct of his visitation to Benue state. […]