Dozens of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State on Wednesday, July 30, took to the Makurdi-Lafia Federal Highway in protest, accusing the state government of hoarding the ₦1 billion donation recently made by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The protest, which caused a major disruption to vehicular movement, followed the First Lady’s visit to the state on Tuesday, during which she donated the funds as part of her condolence visit to victims of armed herdsmen attacks.
One of the protesters, claimed that the government had repeatedly failed to share previous donations meant for the welfare of displaced persons.
However, the State Emergency and Management Agency (SEMA) dismissed the claims.
Speaking to reporters, the agency’s Information Officer, Tema Ager, insisted that the protest was politically motivated and not based on the actual needs of the IDPs.
“The major issue that triggered this protest is politics. Simply because the First Lady visited yesterday and announced that she donated ₦1 billion,” he said.
READ ALSO: Remi Tinubu Visits Benue, Pledges ₦1bn Donation for Displaced Families
“You know the process of getting this money—sometimes, they just announce it. It’s when they go back that they process it. What she announced yesterday cannot happen today. The money is for resettlements, not for food,” Ager explained.
He added that food distribution was already underway across IDP camps and acknowledged that the last round of food supplies occurred in May.
Reacting to the demonstration, Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Hyacinth Alia, echoed SEMA’s stance and described the protest as a politically instigated act.
“If not so, the wife of President Tinubu, Senator Oluremi, just gave the cheque on Tuesday which is yet to be cleared and cashed for the purpose it was meant.
“Today, IDPs have blocked the Makurdi–Lafia–Abuja highway demanding for the money,” he said.
He added that Governor Alia remains committed to supporting vulnerable groups and would never divert funds meant for the less privileged.