A planned humanitarian mission by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to Makurdi, Benue State, was abruptly aborted on Monday, April 14, 2025, following a last-minute advisory from the Benue State Government citing security concerns and protocol breaches.
The unexpected move has sparked confusion and debate nationwide, with many questioning whether the blockade was truly about safety or something more political.
Obi, who was en route from Plateau State after a goodwill visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bokkos, was scheduled to make courtesy visits to a nursing school in Gboko and IDP camps in Makurdi.
But just hours into his journey, a press statement—purportedly from the Office of the Benue State Governor—surfaced, effectively calling off the visit.
“The ADC had assured me the governor would return my call. That never happened. Then, while on the road Monday morning, I was handed a statement supposedly from the government, effectively stopping my visit,” Obi wrote on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
Even more troubling to Obi was the fact that the press release contained detailed elements of his itinerary, which he said were shared only with the governor’s Aide-De-Camp (ADC) and security agencies.
“I respect the governor as a Reverend Father and would not usually go public with this. But this pattern of obstruction is worrying,” he stated.
In the official statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the state government warned that no “high-profile individuals or groups” should attempt to visit without prior approval, stressing that such visits could pose security risks.
“The Governor is not expecting any August visitor and is currently attending to sensitive state matters,” the statement said, adding that all humanitarian visits—especially to IDP camps—require written clearance from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
The directive also instructed security agencies to enforce the policy and called on the public to avoid gatherings that could disrupt public order.
While the Benue Government has defended the move as a matter of procedure and public safety, critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent for politicizing humanitarian assistance.
“This wasn’t a rally. It was a goodwill visit. Why should compassion need clearance?” a civic group leader in Makurdi asked.
Obi, who had just donated N7.5 million to displaced persons in Plateau State without incident, emphasized that his efforts are non-partisan and rooted in a long-standing commitment to humanitarian work.
“This is not about politics. I don’t need a political reason to help displaced Nigerians. I’ve always done this—before, during, and after elections,” Obi said.
Following the disruption, Obi returned to Abuja, visibly disappointed but undeterred.
“Let us not politicize every act of kindness. A new Nigeria is still POssible,” he concluded in his statement.
The controversy has triggered mixed reactions across the country. While some argue that the state government acted within its rights to regulate visits during sensitive periods, others believe the decision reflects a growing trend of political insecurity and unnecessary gatekeeping.
As displaced Nigerians continue to seek hope and help, the debate rages on: Was this about security, or shutting the door on a gesture that didn’t fit the political script?
