Governor Hyacinth Alia has provided reasons for preventing Peter Obi from accessing the IDP camp in Benue.
Alia stated that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the previous election breached established protocols by not notifying him prior to his visit, as is customary.
In a Thursday, April 24 interview with TVC, Alia explained that Obi was denied entry to the Benue IDP camp due to his unclear “intention” and failure to adhere to protocols by not giving advance notice.
“A very respected Peter Obi was a governor. If you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. Very high personality; you are coming into someone’s state, and your party does not even know you are coming.
“I, the sitting governor, did not know you were coming. Then you are going into where I’m protecting even the most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them. They’ve been displaced. I need to protect them even some more. I don’t know the intent you have,” Mr Alia clarified.
He further remarked, “Is it not courteous enough for me to know as a sitting governor and even to provide more security to you and prepare the minds of the IDPs that a guest is coming to visit them?”
The governor refuted allegations that he was inaccessible when the former Anambra governor attempted to notify him of his visit.
“No, that’s not the right narrative. I can never politicise that. I’m the one bearing the brunt, pain and sorrows of the IDPs in my state,” Mr Alia asserted. “No. That’s not the true story. If he (Mr Obi) couldn’t reach me, I have a chief of staff, I have an SSG, (and) I have a PPS. That’s not true.”
The previous week, Alia had stated he could not ensure the safety of any person or group visiting Benue without his prior knowledge or approval after prohibiting Mr Obi from entering the state.
However, Mr Obi expressed on X that his intended visit to Benue had been politicised.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli