NIGERIA: Peter Obi Accuses Benue Gov Of Politicization Of Humanitarian Efforts

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

A former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has raised concerns over what he described as an attempt to frustrate his humanitarian visit to Benue State by Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

Obi lamented over what he termed the increasing politicization of efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

He made the disclosure in a heartfelt Facebook post on Saturday evening, explaining that his visit to Benue was part of a two-state tour that began in Plateau State.

According to him, the purpose of the trip was to pay courtesy visits to the governors, as well as offer direct support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and inspect schools of nursing and other community initiatives.

The former governor, known for his frugal leadership style and advocacy for responsible governance, said he was warmly received by the Plateau State Government and spent time with IDPs in Bokkos.

However, his plans to replicate the same outreach in Benue were met with resistance.

Obi stated that despite multiple attempts to contact the Benue State Governor – a Catholic priest whom he described as a “dear younger brother”, his calls were not returned.

After eventually speaking with the Governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC), he was assured of a response that never came.

Instead, on the morning of his trip from Jos to Makurdi, his security team received a press statement allegedly from the Benue State Government suggesting that his visit was unwelcome.

“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 noted, describing the development as disturbing.

The former presidential candidate clarified that his visit had no political undertone, stressing that he has long been committed to humanitarian efforts even before entering public office.

“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 said.

He recalled that during the Haiti earthquake, he sought permission from then, President Goodluck Jonathan to visit the affected areas for humanitarian work, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes

The Labour Party stalwart ended his statement with a message of hope, calling for a less polarized political environment.

“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… A new Nigeria is POssible,” he wrote.