Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A member of the Obidient Movement, Serah Ibrahim, has narrated how a threat by Governor Hyacinth Alia, forced the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, to cancel his planned visit to Benue State.
Obi was already en route Benue from Jos where he had earlier visited the victims of Bokkos herdsmen attack when the Governor’s threat was forwarded to him by the Governor’s Aide De Camp (ADC), thus forcing him to discontinue with the journey.
The Governor who Obi said he had made several unsuccessful attempts to personally reach before the visit, issued a press statement, declaring that the security of anyone visiting Benue State without his express permission could not be guaranteed.
Gov. Alia, a Catholic priest in the statement said: “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.”
Narrating their experience, Ibrahim said they were already on the way to Benue State on Monday when Obi suddenly decided to pull back following a disturbing WhatsApp message he received from the Governor’s ADC.
Ibrahim who took to his X handle posted: “On our way to Benue State today from Plateau, we were turned back.
“The ADC sent the same press statement directly to PO via WhatsApp.
“So yes, it was all directed at him. PO had initially sent his itinerary to them, as a courtesy and they used his entire itinerary to publish a statement.
“I am not surprised that certain elements within our political space would attempt to restrict Peter Obi’s movements but also orchestrating actions that seem intended to harm or permanently silence him.
“Make no mistake, the attacks against Peter Obi are deliberate planned efforts.
And this is a THREAT not only to HIM but to each and every one of us.
“We could have kept going, the security were all hyped up to go, but in his exact words “I need to guarantee the safety of those with me, look at these policemen, they are all fathers, I won’t permit anyone to engage them, so let’s turn back, nobody will harm any of my people.
I won’t lose any one of you, I’d rather turn back than put you in arms way.”
“Even as a private citizen, anyone can enter any State in Nigeria, but for you to say you do not certify his safety in such a manner shows the voice of JACOB but clearly the hands of ESAU.
“But this is a message to you all: The Nigerian youths would not back down, we won’t back down, not NOW, not EVER. We are on a moving train to get a new Nigeria, you either join this moving train, or you get that hell out of our way.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Alia in the press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, warned that he was “not expecting any August visitor in Benue today (April 14).”
It read in full: “The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, wishes to inform the public that he is not expecting any August visitor to the state today.
“He is currently engaged in high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state.
“Therefore, he strongly advises 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.
“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.
“Also the public is to note that all individuals or groups intending to visit IDPs in Benue State must first seek and obtain written permission from Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
“We urge security agents and the public to take note of this announcement and maintain peace and order in the state.”
Benue has become a slaughter ground by herdsmen and bandits who have displaced many indigenous agrarian communities in the recent times.
The unprovoked barbaric attacks which began few years ago have worsened under the watch of the incumbent Gov. Alia.
Benue, which formerly prided as Nigeria’s food basket, currently accounts for the highest number of IDPs in the country following incessant attacks by criminal Fulani herders and bandits.
