Tuesday, April 15, 2025 - Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has expressed his displeasure with the handling of his planned visit to Benue State.
In a statement shared on Monday via X, Obi expressed
disappointment over the reaction from the Benue State Government to his
scheduled courtesy call and planned visits to internally displaced persons
(IDPs) camps and health institutions in the state.
His statement read: "Ordinarily, I would not have
commented on this issue, as I have endured far worse situations in my political
life since I declared for the presidency, and it continues to worsen as I
strive to do things in a civilised and organized manner. The unfolding events
demand that I have to start speaking out now.
"On what transpired today (April 14) 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.
"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 7am, I left Jos, and on reaching Akwanga at about 10am, 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.
'I am forced
to remind them, and all concerned, that the purpose of this journey is to
support good causes in areas of critical development: health and health
education, education and caring for our people in need, and 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.
"Everyone
knew then how I had to get permission from the then President, President
Goodluck Jonathan, that I needed to visit Haiti during the earthquake.
"I
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 our
fellow citizens, and my continuous show of love, care and compassion to
citizens who have been displaced.
"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.
"A new
Nigeria is POssible. -PO"
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