According to reports from DAILY POST on Tuesday, April 15, The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on National Programs, Civil Society, Voter Education, and Strategic Interventions, Solomon Semaka, has criticized the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, over his proposed visit to camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State, accusing him of leveraging humanitarian gestures for political gain.
In a statement released on Monday, Semaka described Obi’s intended visit as a “politicized charity effort,” alleging that the former Anambra State governor was concealing political motives under the guise of humanitarian concern. He claimed that Obi was using visits to vulnerable communities, particularly IDP camps, as a strategy to remain politically visible amidst potential realignments ahead of future elections.
“Benue cannot be used as a stage for political theatrics. Not even international humanitarian organizations operate in such a manner. What Mr. Obi planned is far from genuine humanitarianism it’s calculated political showmanship, and the people of Benue can see through it,” Semaka said.
The aide further alleged that Obi has a track record of manipulating public sentiment by capitalizing on the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians. He accused the former governor of engaging in what he termed “emotional manipulation” in a bid to rebuild his political standing following his 2023 presidential bid.
This development follows Governor Hyacinth Alia’s recent directive restricting high-profile, unscheduled visits to the state, citing concerns over public safety and the need to maintain stability in light of ongoing security challenges. The governor emphasized that such measures are necessary to prevent actions that could undermine peace efforts in the state.
Obi had earlier expressed frustration over his inability to speak with Governor Alia ahead of his intended visit to the IDP camps. Semaka, however, dismissed the claim, criticizing Obi for what he called “improper conduct” and describing the move as an attempt to sidestep protocol and create unnecessary drama.
Reaffirming the state government’s focus on governance, Semaka emphasized Benue’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and said Governor Alia remains committed to delivering good governance without allowing external political distractions.
“Benue is under the leadership of a decisive and visionary leader who is not swayed by opportunistic politics,” he concluded.
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