Gov. Alia Should Rise Above Ego and Cease Blame Games'—North Central Media Forum

The North Central Media Forum views with profound dismay the recent interview granted by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to Channels Television, wherein he attempted a deliberate deflection of public scrutiny from his administration’s palpable failure to mitigate insecurity in the state. Instead of offering clarity or strategic direction, the Governor has chosen the unproductive path of scapegoating and rhetorical blame.

Yakubu Abubakar, Chairman of the media group in a statement made available to SECURITY MONITOR noted that “It is imperative to remind the public of Governor Alia’s glaring inconsistencies and unfulfilled pledges concerning the security situation in Benue. Notably, the Governor had, in the heat of post-election optimism, assured the citizenry of his ability to resolve the crisis of insecurity within his first 100 days in office. He publicly declared having reached a purported agreement with militant groups in Sankera for their rehabilitation and assured a cessation of hostilities. This claim was reaffirmed by the late Tor Sankera, His Royal Highness Abu King Shuluwa, during the funeral of the late Chief Fazenga Wombo on January 13, 2024, at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala. The pertinent question remains: what tangible rehabilitation framework was instituted for these militants, and why has the Governor failed to implement it?

According to the media group, “Governor Alia has, regrettably, continued to issue contradictory statements regarding the security crisis in Benue. He has vacillated from outright denial of attacks on communities to accusing National Assembly members of writing and inviting armed herders, then downplaying the assaults as mere skirmishes. Subsequently, he attributed the violence to foreign mercenaries, only to revert again to blaming federal legislators based on alleged findings of a yet-to-be-substantiated committee of inquiry.

Most troubling, however, was Governor Alia’s mischaracterization of the efforts made by His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv, to mediate the conflict between the Governor and his political father, Senator Dr. George Akume. The Governor’s insinuation that the Tor Tiv accused Akume of undermining the state is both misleading and disrespectful to the revered traditional institution. The peace initiative led by His Royal Majesty was premised on fostering unity between the Governor and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. Akume, particularly given the significance of presenting a cohesive front within a federal structure currently favorable to the Tiv nation. It is worthy of note that Dr. Akume honored the terms of that accord in good faith.

In the face of ongoing coordinated attacks against the people of Benue, it would be statesmanlike for Governor Alia to set aside personal pride and formally engage the SGF with his concerns,an act of responsibility he has conspicuously neglected. Dr. Akume, a seasoned administrator since 1979, is fully conversant with due process. He cannot be expected to issue public pronouncements on such grave matters without a formal briefing from the Chief Security Officer of the state,a step the Governor has evidently refused to take.

We urge Governor Alia to expedite the findings of his committee of inquiry and transparently submit the report to the appropriate authorities. Only through sincerity, accountability, and collaborative leadership can the people of Benue find reprieve. The era of buck-passing must end. Governor Alia must now focus on fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by the good people of Benue.