It was a good decision by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, to have cancelled his scheduled visit to Benue State due to a cautionary statement issued by the state government against his trip to the state.

Obi had planned visits to internally displaced persons camps and health facilities in the state, but a statement from the state government warned against unscheduled visits, citing security concerns.

In a statement titled ‘Notice regarding an unscheduled visit to Benue State’, Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, declared that the government could not guarantee his safety.

Later, the Principal Special Assistant to the governor on National Programmes, Civil Society, Voter Education, and Strategic Interventions, Solomon Semaka, in a statement, accused Obi of attempting to use the state as a platform for political relevance.

The resurgence of attacks and killings since Governor Alia’s administration came to power is mind-boggling.

Instead of tackling these killings, the agents of the state government are more interested in a battle for the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obi had successfully visited Nasarawa and Plateau states where he delivered humanitarian services to the needy and was warmly received by the governors.

 It appears the agents of Benue State government are not conversant with Obi’s humanitarian record. By denying such a high-profile visitor the right to visit his state on the grounds of insecurity, the governor has not only failed the people in IDP camps, he has also told the world that his state is unsafe for visitors and investments.

His administration since assumption of office, has established notoriety for fighting politicians from the state who are based in Abuja over the control of APC structure, instead of mobilising them to tackle the common enemies of the state that are perpetrating violence in the state.

The killings escalated as the state government focused on perceived political opponents and how to secure the governor’s reelection in 2027.

In confirmation of the claim that the state is unsafe, bandits killed scores a few days ago, prompting a former Senate President, Senator David Mark to call on the communities to mobilise themselves and resist the attackers.

Nigerians are asking: Is the Benue State government and its agents unwittingly urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state?