Victor Ezeja
Solomon Semaka, Benue State governor’s adviser, has accused the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of wanting to use the state as a platform for advancing his political interest.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSemaka, Benue State’s Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on National Programmes, Civil Society, Voter Education, and Strategic Interventions, said this in a statement released on Monday.
In a post on social media on Monday, Obi had complained of his inability to contact Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia prior to his planned visit to the state’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
He stated that he had arranged visits to Plateau and Benue states as part of his continuous outreach efforts to assist IDPs and promote health and education programmes.
He noted that the trips planned for Sunday, April 13 in Plateau and Monday, April 14 in Benue would involve courtesy calls to the state governors.
The former Anambra State governor went on to say that, as is customary, he notified the Plateau State government of his planned visit, and that the governor graciously welcomed him and provided all necessary support, allowing him to spend meaningful time at the Bokkos IDP camp.
However, Obi said all his efforts to reach the Benue governor were without success.
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“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.
Obi said that because his visit to the governor was just for courtesy and respect, he decided to proceed with the trip to Makurdi, but on his way, he was made to know that a statement had been issued by the Benue State Government, and it appeared designed to stop the trip.
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Obi reiterated that the purpose of his trip was “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.”
He expressed concerns about how the matter was politicized.
Reacting, Semaka branded Obi’s planned visit to IDP camps in Benue as “political charity,” claiming that he was masking political maneuverings as humanitarian concern.
The governor’s aide further claimed that Obi has a history of “emotional blackmail and mind games” designed to exploit the misery of vulnerable Nigerians for selfish political gain.
He further claimed that the Labour Party chieftain was attempting to build his image ahead of potential political realignments by making humanitarian visits to states such as Benue.
“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.”
He further accused Obi’s claim as “bad charity etiquette” and an intentiondeliberate attempt to force his way into the state without proper participation.
Semaka reiterated the administration’s commitment to working with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and stated that Governor Alia would not allow political distractions to undermine the state’s ongoing governance efforts.
“Benue State is currently in the hands of a bold, courageous, and fearless leader who will not succumb to cheap political antics,” she said.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
