Tensions are mounting in Benue State as the government is reportedly taking steps to prevent a planned visit by Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.
Obi, whose post-election focus has shifted heavily towards humanitarian efforts, had scheduled a visit to several IDP camps in Benue, following similar engagements in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Nasarawa States where he donated relief materials and met with displaced families. His activities have drawn national attention, including a recent high-profile visit to Plateau where he met with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and victims of herdsmen attacks.
According to reliable sources, Obi’s team formally reached out to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) through its Executive Secretary, Sir James Iorpuu, to facilitate access to IDP camps. However, political resistance has reportedly stalled those plans.
Insiders within the Benue State Government revealed to Daily Post that top officials advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to block the visit, fearing political ramifications. The governor, who is grappling with reported internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), was allegedly warned that Obi’s presence could be interpreted as tacit support from Alia for the opposition—a move that might not sit well with party leaders in Abuja.
“It’s not just about Obi,” a source said. “There are fears that the visit could be used by former Governor Samuel Ortom, a known Obi supporter, to stage a political comeback and destabilize the current administration.”
Further fuelling the tension are rumours suggesting that Governor Alia is mulling defection from the APC due to strained ties with national party figures. Obi’s visit, government aides argue, could be misconstrued as a signal of shifting political alliances.
In a veiled response, Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, issued a public statement on Monday cautioning against “unapproved high-profile visits” to the state. While not naming Obi directly, the warning has been widely interpreted as a message directed at the former Anambra State governor.
“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,” the statement read.
Political analysts say the controversy underscores the high stakes in Benue’s evolving political landscape. In the February 2023 election, Obi shocked many by garnering over 308,000 votes in the state—an outcome largely credited to Ortom’s endorsement and support from youth, faith-based, and middle-class constituencies.
As of press time, neither Obi’s camp nor the Labour Party had officially commented on the development. However, a close associate of the former governor insisted that the visit was “purely humanitarian,” and not intended to stoke political tensions.
“The people in those camps need help, and Mr. Obi has consistently shown compassion where it is needed most,” the source said. “This should not be politicised.”
Whether the visit proceeds or is called off remains uncertain, but the incident has already reignited debates over humanitarian access, political rivalry, and party allegiance in a state still reeling from the effects of violence and displacement.
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