Photo credit: ICIR.
…No intentions to undermine a whole group – Alia.
By Ijeoma Obioma in Makurdi.
The people of Masev in Benúe State have accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of threading needless blame over the killings of their kinsmen at a time he ought to be responsible for his citizens safety.
Professor Vearumun Tarhule, the
President -General of Masev Development Association World Wide, who addressed a press conference in Makurdi on behalf of his people, expressed dismay over an alleged comments made by Gov. Alia.
He said that the assertion by the governor linking the tragic loss of over16 lives and destruction of property four days ago in Wandor, Mbaikyor, within the Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer East Local Government, to cattle rustling, has left the affected community further shattered and demoralized.
“But for the trending video on all social media channels, we would not have believed that Gov. Alia whom the Masev people massively voted for could have said such a thing. Gov Alia’s irrefutable pictorial and audio evidence in the form of Video stared us in the face. The Governor’s unequivocal assertion has churned out quite a number of issues:
“By his own mouth, the Governor said he was informed of the incident on his way to the requiem Mass. Without any security personnel or the Governor himself visiting the horrific scene, the Governor miraculously knew that it was some Masev youth that rustled cows, killed some and were marketing them in wheelbarrows! It looks to us that someone sold a poorly crafted story to the Governor who rushed to gleefully announce the verdict.
“In our respective view it is statements (justifications) such as offered by Governor Alia that further embolden the herders. Such statements ought not and should never have come from Gov. Alia or any elected or appointed Government official.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of Governor Alia to secure the lives of Benue people, not for him to be threading blame, offering excuses which even children will not believe, and consequently playing politics with the lives of Benue People,’ he said.
Professor Tarhule added that in response to Governor Alia’s declaration, the national executive council of the association convened an emergency meeting, and have resolved to vehemently reject and challenge the unsubstantiated, biased, and premature conclusions drawn by the Governor.
Meanwhile, Governor Alia, through his media aide, Tersoo Kula, in swift reaction to the Masev people’s grievances said: “Government feels concerned and wishes the National Executive Council of the Masev Development Association, and entire Masev people not to view the Governor’s remarks so damaging of their integrity. The apprehension of the people should be relaxed as no ill is intended on the part of government.
“The Governor notes that the current crises with the unfortunate deaths,undertoned by rustling, shouldn’t be seen as an indictment or a statement to undermine the Masev people. Government shares in the pains and aspirations of Masev people and the entire State.
“Government will not tag Masev as perpetrators of the fundamental issue that has affected them for many years. The allusion to local complicities has no intention to undermine a whole group. Governor Alia cherishes the love of Masev people and will not whimsically attempt to erode it.
“Despite the challenges, our resolve is resolute to ensure and enable a safe Masev land and Benue as soon as possible. A safe and secured Benue remains assured under Governor Hyacinth Alia’s watch.”
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
