Benue Governor’s aide, Solomon Semaka, accuses Peter Obi of masking political motives as charity in his planned visit to IDP camps. The aide calls it a “political ambush,” urging adherence to state security protocols. Tensions rise over Obi’s perceived attempt to use humanitarian visits to boost political influence ahead of realignments.
A senior aide to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has accused Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, of politicizing humanitarian visits. Solomon Semaka, who oversees National Programs and Strategic Interventions, claimed Obi's intention to visit IDP camps in the state was a veiled political stunt aimed at boosting his national relevance.
Speaking in a strongly worded statement, Semaka argued that Obi's outreach was less about compassion and more about optics, branding it “political charity.” He further alleged that the former Anambra governor has a pattern of leveraging crises for strategic advantage and that Benue people "are wiser now."
This controversy comes amid a recent executive directive from Governor Alia banning unapproved visits by prominent individuals due to heightened security risks. Obi had earlier expressed frustration over being unable to reach the governor ahead of his proposed visit, a move Semaka described as “bad charity etiquette.”
“We won’t allow Benue to become a backdrop for political theatre,” Semaka declared. He emphasized the administration’s ongoing collaboration with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and asserted that Alia would not be distracted by perceived political gimmicks.
While Obi’s supporters argue that humanitarian efforts should transcend politics, the state government insists that all engagements must align with existing security protocols
