By Ijeoma Obioma.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benúe State has continued to receive more criticism over an alleged ‘uncharitable’ comments following the recent killings of people in parts of the state.
Sequel to recent killings of people in the state by bandits, several socio-cultural groups have called out the governor for cautioning youths to beware of cattle rustling while sympathising with those affected during the mayhem of over 16 people in Mbalom, Gwer East and more than 45 in Ukum areas.
The latest criticism issued by the Ukum Elites Assembly (UEA) in Makurdi maintained that the Governor Alia owes Benue people an explanation regarding his involvement and commitment with armed invaders.
President of the UEA, Tyosoo Akaa and Yoosu Soonen, who is Secretary, wondered why after the militia invasion which claimed many lives in Gbagir and its environs of Tyuluv Council Ward in Ukum, the governor would launched a media attack on the Senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Barr. Emmanuel Udende who moved a motion on the floor of the red chambers drawing the attention to the security situation of his constituency.
“Governor Alia has also made uncharitable comments against not only the peace loving people of Ukum local government but also to any other section of the state faced with the crisis, profiling and blackmailing our youths either as cattle rustlers or a people killing themselves only to heap the blames on the herders and even attributed attacks on Benue communities to rival gangs fighting for supremacy.
“We condemn in strong terms the strange and suspicious behaviour of the Governor pitching tent with invaders and Jihadists against his people and wish to appeal to him to come out clean and tell Benue people if he was compelled by circumstances to enter into a pact with the armed herders or forced to take a loan from the herders that Benue people will be required to contribute money and pay on his behalf to free him from slavery.
“Let us also ask Governor Alia why he has relegated the Benue Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to the background and has allowed herders and their cattle into Benue State,” the group questioned.
They further accused the governor of not openly condemning the attacks on Benue communities, not visiting scenes of the attacks and not purchasing even a single operational vehicle for any of the security agencies in the state since his ascension to power.
The group added, “We are no longer in the period of electioneering campaigns therefore, blackmail, propaganda and blame games will not help the security situation in Benue. We call on Governor Alia to sit up and marshall out plans to solve the security situation in the state in line with the oath he took to protect the lives and properties of the Benue man in 2023.
“Governor Alia appears bereft of ideas and his outings only portray him like a farmer who blames his working implements for his inability to do well on the farm. We advice him in this regard to desist from apportioning unnecessary blames and his handlers from making incisive comments but instead, synergize with stakeholders across party lines as that remains the only option for him to succeed in the fight against criminality in Benue State.”
Meanwhile, Governor Alia through his spokesman, Tersoo Kula, in reacting to one of such many recent controversies, stated, “We have already announced to the World that the recent crises and killings in parts of Ukum LGA was a handiwork of local criminal bandits that work in cohort with militant herders. How this has entailed or warranted a false appreciation that Benue crises is entirely communal without herder terrorists remains strange. It is a big lie only from a law breaking group or a group with endless mischief.
“The world should be rest assured that, we will continue to be truthful about the Benue crises even if a government official is involved. We are not prepared to cover any person or group. A criminal remains a criminal and we shall not discriminate in naming and prosecuting same.
“Benue people and Nigerians must know that both the agents of darkness be they internal or external are increasingly unsafe and disorganised and have resorted to stir up fake news and distortion of facts to win cheap minds or minds driven with hate and retardation. As a government we are committed to exposing local gangs and their promoters, same way the external bandits and no amount of distortion of facts or letters can deter our resolve.”
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
