Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi has revealed the circumstances behind the abrupt cancellation of his planned humanitarian visit to Benue State.
Speaking on Monday, Obi detailed a troubling sequence of events that led to the cancellation of what was meant to be part of his ongoing outreach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and advance health and education initiatives across the Middle Belt region.
“I would have preferred to remain silent, having weathered far more difficult situations throughout my political career,” Obi stated. However, recent developments have made it necessary for me to address what transpired regarding my scheduled visit to Benue State.
According to Obi, he had organized a two-state tour with visits to Plateau State on Sunday, April 13, followed by Benue State on Monday, April 14. His itinerary included courtesy calls to both state governors, visits to IDP camps, and engagements with educational institutions such as nursing schools.
The stark contrast between his experiences with the two state governments forms the crux of Obi’s account. He explained that his advance team followed standard protocol by notifying both administrations of his planned visits.
The Plateau State Government welcomed me warmly and provided all necessary support, allowing me to spend quality time with displaced victims at the Bokkos IDP camp,” Obi recounted. The former governor praised the Plateau administration for their hospitality and cooperation during his Sunday visit.
His experience with Benue State officials, however, proved markedly different. Despite multiple attempts to establish direct communication with Benue’s governor, Obi claimed he was unable to secure a conversation. He eventually reached the governor’s aide-de-camp (ADC), who assured him that the governor would return his call before midnight due to ongoing important meetings.
“That promised call never materialized,” Obi stated. Days later, I received a message from the ADC claiming he had been unable to reach the governor himself—a situation I found deeply concerning given the significance of the planned visit.”
Determined to fulfill his humanitarian mission despite the communication breakdown, Obi decided to proceed with his journey to Makurdi early Monday morning, viewing his meeting with the governor as a courtesy rather than a requirement for his broader engagement with communities in need.
We departed Jos at 7 AM on Monday, committed to carrying out our planned activities in Benue,” Obi explained. By 10 AM, as we reached Akwanga, my security team intercepted a press statement reportedly issued by the Benue State Government effectively blocking my visit. Curiously, while still processing this development with my team, the Governor’s ADC forwarded the identical statement to me directly.”
The abrupt cancellation raises questions about political dynamics in Benue State and the relationship between state officials and opposition figures following the 2023 elections. Political analysts suggest the incident may reflect growing tensions as parties position themselves for future electoral contests.
Obi’s outreach program represents his continued engagement with vulnerable communities despite electoral defeat last year. His focus on IDPs highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where communal conflicts and security issues have displaced thousands of citizens.
The Labour Party standard-bearer has maintained an active national profile since the 2023 elections, combining humanitarian work with political activities designed to strengthen his party’s grassroots presence. Sources close to Obi indicate that his tours of IDP camps form part of a broader strategy to maintain visibility while addressing pressing social needs.
Humanitarian organizations operating in the region have emphasized the critical importance of support for displaced communities, particularly as government resources remain stretched thin across multiple crisis points. Independent analysts note that political figures from across the spectrum have increasingly incorporated humanitarian outreach into their activities, though questions persist about the sustainability and coordination of these efforts.
For his part, Obi expressed disappointment at the lost opportunity to connect with vulnerable populations in Benue but affirmed his commitment to continuing such work elsewhere.
“My mission has always been to reach those most in need, regardless of political boundaries or affiliations,” Obi concluded. While this particular engagement could not proceed as planned, we remain dedicated to supporting displaced persons and advancing educational and healthcare initiatives wherever possible.
As of publication time, the Benue State Government had not issued any additional statements addressing Obi’s account of events. Political observers note that such protocol disputes between opposition figures and incumbent administrations have become increasingly common in Nigeria’s polarized political landscape.
The cancelled visit underscores the complex interplay between humanitarian objectives and political realities that often characterizes Nigeria’s approach to addressing internal displacement and crisis response.
