Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has stated that he stopped former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from visiting the state as he (Obi) didn’t follow the proper channels.
Alia, who spoke during an interview with TVC News, dismissed Obi’s claim that he had attempted to contact him prior to the visit.
It could be recalled that Obi’s planned visit to IDPs camps in Benue was aborted midway.
While justifying the action of his government, Alia said, “I’m the one bearing the brunt and pain of the people in my state. Peter Obi is a very respected figure, having been a governor himself, and if you’re coming to someone else’s state, there are protocols to follow.
"I have a duty to protect my people, especially those in the IDP camps. I need to be aware of your visit in order to provide security and prepare the IDPs for your arrival.
“If he couldn’t reach me directly, there are other channels, including my Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and my Principal Private Secretary (PPS).
"For him to claim that he reached out to my ADC is not accurate. That is not even the ADC’s responsibility.
“If you’re bringing food to the IDPs, I need to know what kind of aid you’re offering. There are protocols in place for a reason.
"You can’t just arrive from Abuja and head straight to an IDP camp without anyone being aware of your intentions.
“I need to ensure the safety of those people and understand the nature of the visit.
"People should not use the IDP crisis for political gain. I’m on the ground, and I know what the people need.”