Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, xpressed his disappointment over the disruption of his planned visit to Benue State, describing the unfolding situation as one that demands clarity and accountability.
“Ordinarily, I would not have commented,” Obi began, “as I’ve endured far worse situations since I declared my presidential ambition. But recent events have made it necessary to speak up.”
Obi had scheduled visits to Plateau and Benue states on April 13 and 14, 2025, respectively. His itinerary included courtesy visits to state governors, tours of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, and inspections of nursing schools — a continuation of his longstanding commitment to health and education support.
While Plateau State’s government warmly welcomed Obi, granting access to IDP camps and extending hospitality, his experience with Benue State was starkly different.
Despite multiple efforts, Obi was unable to establish direct contact with the Benue Governor. After reaching the Governor’s ADC, he was told the Governor would respond — a call that never came. Eventually, a message arrived days later, claiming the ADC hadn’t been able to reach the Governor either — a claim Obi found troubling.
On the morning of April 14, as he journeyed from Jos to Makurdi, Obi’s security team received a press statement, allegedly from the Benue State Government, appearing to block his visit. Shockingly, the Governor’s ADC then forwarded the same statement to Obi, detailing the exact itinerary he had earlier shared confidentially.
“This visit was purely humanitarian. I planned to support a school being built in Gboko, a nursing school, and an IDP camp — nothing political,” Obi stated, reaffirming his dedication to public welfare, regardless of politics.
He drew a parallel to a past mission where he had to obtain presidential approval to visit Haiti after a devastating earthquake, underscoring the consistency of his commitment to humanitarian causes.
Obi concluded his statement with a heartfelt plea:
“May God help us as we rebuild our nation. Let’s rise above political divisions and work for the common good, especially for those in need. A new Nigeria is POssible.”— PO
