The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on National Programs, Civil Society, Voter Education, and Strategic Interventions, Solomon Semaka, has accused Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, of using Benue State to gain political relevance.
In a statement released on Monday, Semaka referred to Obi’s planned visit to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Benue as “political charity,” alleging that the former Anambra State governor was disguising political tactics as humanitarian efforts.
Semaka further asserted that Obi had a history of “emotional blackmail and mind games,” aimed at exploiting vulnerable Nigerians for personal political gain. He claimed that the Labour Party candidate was attempting to enhance his profile for potential political shifts by staging humanitarian visits to states such as Benue.
He said, “Mr Peter Obi cannot ambush Benue State with charity. Even the United Nations does not operate this kind of charity model. What he planned to do was nothing short of a political maneuver disguised as humanitarian work, and the people of Benue are wiser now.”
Semaka’s remarks came amid Governor Hyacinth Alia’s earlier directive, which prohibited high-profile individuals from visiting the state without authorization, citing security risks. The governor stated that this measure was designed to control movements and avoid actions that could jeopardize the fragile security situation in the state.
Obi had recently expressed his frustration at being unable to contact Governor Alia ahead of his intended visit to the IDP camps in Benue. Semaka dismissed this as “bad charity etiquette” and an intentional effort by Obi to force his way into the state without engaging properly with the authorities.
Semaka emphasized the administration’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reassured that Governor Alia would not be swayed by political distractions that could interfere with the state’s governance.
“Benue State is currently in the hands of a bold, courageous, and fearless leader who will not succumb to cheap political antics,” the statement concluded.
