Visiting Plateau And Benue States: My Ordeal in the hand of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia — Peter Obi

Peter Obi 

Ordinarily, I would not have commented on this issue, as I have endured far worse situations in my political life since I declared for the presidency, and it continues to worsen as I strive to do things in a civilised and organized manner. The unfolding events demand that I have to start speaking out now. 

On what transpired today during my planned visit to Benue State, I am not entirely sure that the state Governor, my dear younger brother, a Reverend Father I deeply respect, is aware of this situation. Having exhausted every possible means to reach him, I am compelled to use this available platform to ensure my message is conveyed.

On Thursday, the 10th of April, I had planned to visit Plateau and Benue State, respectively. Plateau on Sunday, the 13th of April 2025, and Benue on Monday, the 14th of April 2025. My trip included paying courtesy calls to the governors as well as visiting the IDP camps and schools of nursing in both states to give my support.

As is my practice, I reached out to the Plateau State government to inform them of my visit, which included spending the day with the victims at the IDP camp in Bokkos, a visit I wholeheartedly embraced to extend my support, care, and compassion to fellow Nigerians in need. And in his utmost hospitality, the Plateau State Governor graciously permitted.

In a similar vein, I tried repeatedly to contact the Benue State Governor directly without success. I then successfully contacted his ADC who told me that the governor was in a very important meeting and would call me before midnight on the same day.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get that call until Sunday evening when he sent me a message stating he had not been able to reach his principal since the day I called. I was disturbed by how an ADC would not have been able to reach his principal for 3 days.

However, because my visit to the governor was just for courtesy and respect, I decided to proceed with my trip to Makurdi.

Earlier today at 7am, I left Jos, and on reaching Akwanga at about 10am, my security team stopped and stated they received a press statement, purportedly from the Benue State Government, that appeared designed to stop my trip. Curiously while I was still talking with my security team on the issue, the Governor's ADC sent the statement directly to me.

The letter refers exactly to my itinerary which I had earlier conveyed to the ADC directly and to the security operatives in Benue through my own security. 

I am forced to remind them, and all concerned, that the purpose of this journey is to support good causes in areas of critical development: health and health education, education and caring for our people in need, and this is what I have done in my private life for years before getting into politics and even while in politics I have continued to do so.

Everyone knew then how I had to get permission from the then President, President Goodluck Jonathan, that I needed to visit Haiti during the earthquake.

I intended to visit a school being built by the bishop in Gboko, a Nursing school and an IDP camp, actions that reflect my genuine care for the welfare of our fellow citizens, and my continuous show of love, care and compassion to citizens who have been displaced.

May God help us as we rebuild our nation and aim to achieve a new Nigeria where we do not politicize everything but allow citizens to exist, and we all should live for the common good for less privileged Nigerians and those in need.

A new Nigeria is POssible.

- PO

EFCC Charges International NGOs to Declare Cash Meant for IDPs

The Maiduguri Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Onwukwe C. Obiora on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 called on both International and local Non-Governmental Organizations in Yobe and Borno States to present ‘‘Cash Notification Forms’’ to the Maiduguri Command for vetting and approval before disbursing funds to ‘Internally Displaced Persons’. The measure, he explained, is to reduce the risk of sabotage and use of NGOs by money launderers and financiers of terrorism in the Northeast.

Obiora who spoke while receiving a delegation from the United Nations Cash Working Group and International NGO Forum in his office, commended the Forum for their deliberate efforts to cater for the IDPs in the face of insurgency. He stressed the need for a robust synergy with the EFCC to combat the menace of money laundering, terrorism financing, among other financial crimes in the Northeast and the country at large.

‘‘I want to thank you for your services to the IDPs who are needy and vulnerable… but we must be mindful of the fact that all cash movements by INGOs and NGOs must be declared to the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC for verification and monitoring, and we must collaborate so that the funds will not get into the hands of wrong persons during disbursement’’, he said.

The Deputy Coordinator of the Forum, Yasmine Chawaf expressed her delight and lauded the Commission for the cooperation received so far in the distribution of the cash and palliatives to the IDPs in both Yobe and Borno State.

‘‘The EFCC has been of great assistance and we are happy working with the Commission. The Maiduguri Zonal Commander has ensured strict monitoring of cash meant for IDPs through the SCUML and the committee inaugurated, even to the point of distribution in the deep field areas that are hotbeds of insurgency activities, so that the monies get to the right persons. These measures taken by the EFCC have given the Forum absolute confidence to increase our aid flows in the Northeast’’, she said.

Cash Notification Form is a form that reflects the monetary activities and indication of areas where Aid flows provided by INGOs and NGOs are to be disbursed.

International Non-Governmental Organizations present at the meeting were the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ZOA Foundation and Mercy Corps.

By EFCC