Calls for Decency in Governance
Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to frustrate his planned humanitarian visit to Benue State, scheduled for Monday, April 14, 2025. In a strongly worded statement, Obi said that while he would normally remain silent, the unfolding events have forced him to speak out.
“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. But the unfolding events demand that I have to start speaking out now,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State Governor explained that his visit was part of a broader mission to Plateau and Benue States, where he intended to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), inspect ongoing development projects, and promote health and education initiatives. He noted that while the Plateau State Governor welcomed him warmly and granted access to IDP camps and other locations, his efforts to reach the Benue State Governor proved futile.
Obi said he made several attempts to contact the Benue State Governor directly, but was unsuccessful. “I then successfully contacted his ADC who told me the governor was in a very important meeting and would call me before midnight. I didn’t get that call until Sunday evening when he [the ADC] informed me that he hadn’t been able to reach his principal for three days,” he said.
Despite the lack of official approval, Obi proceeded with his trip to Makurdi, only to be stopped midway at Akwanga by his security team, who had received a press statement from the Benue State Government warning against the visit. The same statement was later forwarded to Obi by the Governor’s ADC, raising suspicions of political interference.
“It is disheartening that such visits—purely humanitarian and development-driven—are being politicized. My itinerary, which included visits to a nursing school, an IDP camp, and a school project in Gboko, was made in good faith to support vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.
Obi emphasized that his commitment to humanitarian efforts and development is not new, recalling how he had to seek presidential permission from former President Goodluck Jonathan before visiting Haiti during its earthquake crisis.
He concluded with a passionate appeal: “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.”
Obi’s statement has stirred conversations on the need for political tolerance and prioritization of the public good over political differences.
