Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has explained why he stopped former presidential candidate Peter Obi from visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the state.

Speaking in an interview on TVC on April 24, Governor Alia said Obi did not follow the proper procedures before planning the visit. According to him, the visit came as a surprise because he, as the governor, wasn’t informed.

He said that Peter Obi, being a former governor himself, should understand that it’s respectful to notify the state’s current leader before such a visit. Governor Alia added that even members of the Labour Party in the state were unaware of Obi’s visit.

The governor said he was especially concerned because the visit was to an IDP camp, where people are already vulnerable. He stressed that it’s his job to protect the displaced people, and not knowing Obi’s intentions made him worried.

He asked, “Is it not respectful for me to know so I can arrange security and prepare the people in the camp?”

Governor Alia also denied claims that Peter Obi tried to call him but couldn’t reach him. He said Obi could have contacted other top officials in the government like the Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government, or his Personal Secretary.

Last week, Governor Alia had said that no one could safely visit Benue without first informing the state government.

In response, Peter Obi posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying that his visit to Benue was unnecessarily turned into a political issue.