From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Controversies have continued to trail the statement from the Benue State government in which the Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, banned unscheduled visits to the state as well as the IDP camps.
Since the statement hit the media, the Governor has been tongue-lashed by many residents and concerned citizens who accused him of using the statement to abort the planned visit of the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, thereby denying the vulnerable populations the proceeds thereof.
Recall that on Monday, April 14, Governor Alia through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, issued a notice regarding an unscheduled visit to Benue State.
The Governor who informed he was not expecting any August visitor to the state on that day explained that he was engaged in high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting the state.
He advised strongly against any group or high-profile individual(s) attempting to enter the state for any kind of visit that may generate political assemblies without prior approval saying “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.”
He also directed that all individuals or groups intending to visit IDPs in Benue State must first seek and obtain written permission from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
In response to the incident, Mr Peter Obi in a statement which went viral on his social media handle, reportedly explained how he tried to reach the state governor directly and through his aide without success.
He said “On what transpired today during my planned visit to Benue State, I am not entirely sure that the state Governor, my dear younger brother, a Reverend Father I deeply respect, is aware of this situation. Having exhausted every possible means to reach him, I am compelled to use this available platform to ensure my message is conveyed.”
According to him “On Thursday, the 10th of April, I had planned to visit Plateau and Benue State, respectively. Plateau on Sunday, the 13th of April 2025, and Benue on Monday, the 14th of April 2025. My trip included paying courtesy calls to the governors as well as visiting the IDP camps and schools of nursing in both states to give my support.
“As is my practice, I reached out to the Plateau State government to inform them of my visit, which included spending the day with the victims at the IDP camp in Bokkos, a visit I wholeheartedly embraced to extend my support, care, and compassion to fellow Nigerians in need. And in his utmost hospitality, the Plateau State Governor graciously permitted.
“In a similar vein, I tried repeatedly to contact the Benue State Governor directly without success. I then successfully contacted his ADC who told me that the governor was in a very important meeting and would call me before midnight on the same day.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get that call until Sunday evening when he sent me a message stating he had not been able to reach his principal since the day I called. I was disturbed by how an ADC would not have been able to reach his principal for 3 days.
“However, because my visit to the governor was just for courtesy and respect, I decided to proceed with my trip to Makurdi.
“Earlier today at 7 am, I left Jos, and on reaching Akwanga at about 10 am, my security team stopped and stated they received a press statement, purportedly from the Benue State Government, that appeared designed to stop my trip. Curiously while I was still talking with my security team on the issue, the Governors ADC sent the statement directly to me.
“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.”
Mr Obi said the purpose of his visit was to support good causes in areas of critical development such as health and health education, education and caring for the people in need, adding “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 intended to visit a school being built by the Bishop in Gboko, a Nursing school and an IDP camp, actions that reflect my genuine care for the welfare of fellow citizens, and his continuous show of love, care and compassion to citizens who have been displaced.
He prayed “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, and we all should live for the common good for less privileged Nigerians and those in need.”
Since the incident, our correspondent reports that social media has been awash with knocks and bashing of the Benue state Governor. While some described Governor Alia’s actions as draconian and anti-people; for “preventing his people from benefitting from Mr Obi’s goodwill” others said while his visit was well intended, there was nothing wrong in following the right official protocol.
Speaking to the Sun Newspaper, the Chairman of the Labour Party in the state, Ibrahim Idoko, said he was not aware of Obi’s planned visit to the state.
Idoko, who is also the state chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), stated that he heard about the visit through security sources saying if he had been informed, he would have tried to reach the Governor ahead of him.
He said “As chairman of the party, which Peter Obi contested under, I was not aware he was coming. If I knew, I would have reached out to the governor or top officials. The Governor may have intelligence unknown to us, but Obi must begin to consider safety issues when planning such visits in the future.”
Also reacting, the Prospective Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benue State in the 2027 general elections, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, described the ban as unlawful and diversionary.
In a statement he made available to Sun on Wednesday, Iortyom said “This purported ban by Governor Alia is inconsistent with Section 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) (as amended in 1999) which guarantees freedom of movement as a Fundamental Right of citizens who may move in any part of the country without let or hindrance.
He said the provisions of Section 41 CFRN (as amended in 1999) do not require citizens intending to enter any State of the Federation to first obtain the approval of the Governor, “as such Governor Alia’s so-called ban, under whatever guise, in this instance is inconsistent with the constitution, and to the extent of such inconsistency, null and void and of no consequence whatsoever.”
While stating that the ban likely targets perceived political opponents of the governor, the governorship hopeful advised Governor Alia to desist from such conduct as it reflects a tendency for lawlessness and intolerance such as shouldn’t be found with him.
He observed that “Murderous herdsmen have been violating the sovereignty of Benue State with impunity, entering the state at will and transgressing the extant law prohibiting open grazing of livestock, without the governor as much as raising a finger in admonishment, yet he is breathing fire and brimstone at citizens going about their lawful business.”
He insisted that “It is, therefore, diversionary of the governor to seek to sway public attention away from his failure to tackle insecurity in the state and, instead make an issue of the visit of lawful citizens of Nigeria coming to the state at the period of the Easter celebration who may wish to extend charity to the less privileged, including those living in IDP camps.”
He said the act was grossly lacking in empathy for the security and well-being of the people, and the patriotic zeal and sincerity of purpose needed in the office of Governor at a time such as this.
Mr Iortyom advised the Governor to remedy his image by “retracing his steps to the path of leadership by empathy and conscience, not by such attempts to strangle the fundamental rights of citizens in Benue State.”
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, through its Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor said the action of the governor was draconian and unacceptable.
Nyor said “As a party, we convey our unacceptance and disapproval of Alia’s draconianism.
“Alia’s totalitarian reign must be condemned by all who count themselves as democrats. Being a governor places demands on you to be accommodating and large-hearted.
“This extreme show of strength, which has tragically become characteristic of his regime, does not augur well for peace in Benue.
“If the governor should apply the same zeal and fervour with which he fights his political enemies to fighting the marauding killer herdsmen, Benue would probably be a safer place,” he added.
Also a resident, Mr Kengkeng Ati who identified himself as an IDP from Tse Adendem, near Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area, of the state, in a statement titled “Peter Obi vs Alia: Healing mass turned killing of the masses, the tears of an IDP,” expressed shock over the Governor decision.
He said “How do you decline to receive an intending visitor who is coming to commiserate with you over the killings of the people you were voted to protect? Then it is no less a person but the enigmatic Peter Obi.
“Even if it was a morsel of meat Obi brought, it would have been big in our hands as IDPs. He did this before and was back to do it again in tandem with his passion for the welfare of the people.
“Even in war situations, there is a ceasefire where warring parties talk. While politics may pervade the landscape, the sanctity of human lives must be sacrosanct. It remains for us to see if His Excellency will stem the tide of negativity that has befallen his person and administration through, amongst other issues, the killing of the masses in the hope of the healing that the masses look forward to.
He said “While it may be okay to express political cynicism sometimes, our love for Benue must remain rock solid. Notwithstanding we maintain Yes Fatherrrrr 100 percent.”
In his remarks, the President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT) Worldwide, a socio-cultural organization, CP Iorbee Ihagh who wondered what informed the governor’s decision said “It should not be politics politics all the time. Elections are over and it is time for governance.
“This is not the first time that Peter Obi has come to Benue. He was here during the campaigns, he also saw the IDPs who were living in terrible conditions. So if somebody is coming to give them even pure water, it is something to them, their condition is terrible.
Ihagh while noting that it’s Easter period said the period is usually marked by prayers, fasting and almsgiving to people in need.
“I don’t know what motivated the governor to say that but left for me alone I think it is time to allow people, whoever has anything to give to the IDPs, to go there and give it to them. But if he says they should pass through SEMA that is not bad. They can write a letter requesting to be allowed to go there and give what they have so that the IDPs would also celebrate the Easter,” he said.