The Benue State Government has moved to halt a proposed visit by the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to Internally Displaced Persons’ camps in the state, in what insiders describe as a politically charged decision linked to ongoing speculations about Governor Hyacinth Alia’s alleged plan to dump the All Progressives Congress.
Obi, who has in recent months intensified humanitarian outreach to victims of violence across Nigeria, was reportedly scheduled to visit several IDP camps in Benue.
The former Anambra State governor had earlier undertaken similar visits to Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Nasarawa, where he donated relief materials and engaged directly with displaced families.
In Plateau State, Obi’s visit drew national attention after his meeting with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and interactions with victims of herdsmen attacks.
However, in Benue, sources revealed that Obi’s team had officially contacted the Benue State Emergency Management Agency through its Executive Secretary, Sir James Iorpuu, to seek access to designated camps. The request reportedly sparked unease within the state’s political hierarchy.
Top government officials, it was learnt, cautioned Governor Alia against granting Obi access, describing the move as politically risky and potentially damaging to the governor’s standing within the APC.
“It’s not just about Obi,” a senior government source told Daily Post. “It’s also about the Ortom factor. There are fears that the visit could be used by former Governor Samuel Ortom, a known Obi ally, to re-enter the political space and undermine the current administration.”
The source added that amid speculations of Alia’s strained ties with APC leaders at the national level, allowing a visit by Obi—a prominent opposition figure—could be interpreted in Abuja as an act of political alignment with Labour Party interests.
“The governor is being cautious. He doesn’t want to send the wrong signal to the Presidency, especially now that internal party tensions are rising. He can’t afford to be seen as sympathetic to Obi or Ortom,” the source added.
In the 2023 presidential election, Obi shocked political observers by winning Benue with over 308,000 votes, a feat attributed to Ortom’s endorsement and strong youth and middle-class support.
Following internal deliberations, Governor Alia reportedly instructed his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, to issue a public advisory warning against “unapproved high-profile visits” to the state.
Kula, in the statement, warned, “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.”
Though the statement did not name Obi directly, multiple sources within government confirmed that the warning was targeted at dissuading the former presidential candidate from proceeding with his planned outreach.
A senior official said, “The IDP camps are a very sensitive issue. We cannot allow anyone to politicise the suffering of our people, no matter how well-intentioned they claim to be.”
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