…Alia: I am not overwhelmed by killings
The main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has said the worsening security situation in the state has gone beyond partisan politics, insisting that it’s a matter of life and death for thousands of families whose communities remain under constant threat.
The opposition party expressed concern that “At a time when the state has become synonymous with recurring attacks, mass killings, kidnappings, displacement of communities and the destruction of livelihoods, government officials and appointees entrusted with security responsibilities to focus on finding lasting solutions to the crisis have abandoned the substance of the issue and resorted to political grandstanding, apparently more interested in defending the image of the government than defending the lives of Benue people”.
Spokesman of the party, Mr Bright Yima Antyo, conveyed the party’s position in a reaction to the All Progressives Congress (APC) confrontation against the Senate’s Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro’s position on the attack and killing of his constituents where scores of innocent people were gruesomely murdered.
The PDP expressed its unflinching solidarity with Senator Abba Moro “over his courageous and patriotic intervention on the worsening security situation in Benue State and his decision to raise the matter on the floor of the Senate.
“We find it both disturbing and unfortunate that instead of confronting the grave security challenges confronting our people, the Alia administration has chosen to direct its energies towards attacking Senator Moro for speaking the truth and drawing national attention to the suffering of Benue people.
“The claim by the Alia administration that Benue enjoyed six months of peace before the recent wave of attacks is not only misleading but also an insult to the memory of countless victims who have lost their lives during the period in question.
“Benue people know the reality. Families across Guma, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Kwande, Logo, Gwer West, Gwer East and several other local government areas have continued to endure killings, kidnappings, invasions of communities and the occupation of ancestral lands by armed herders and other criminal elements.
“Senator Abba Moro deserves commendation, not condemnation, for using his position as Senate Minority Leader to attract national attention to the plight of Benue people. As a federal lawmaker, he has consistently sponsored motions, engaged relevant federal authorities and demanded urgent intervention to protect lives and restore peace in affected communities.
“His actions reflect leadership, empathy and a genuine commitment to the welfare of his constituents and the people of Benue State”.
The PDP therefore urged Governor Alia and his administration to stop treating every criticism as a political attack and instead focus on the urgent task of safeguarding the lives and property of Benue people.
However, Governor Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said he is not overwhelmed by the insecurity situation in the state.
“It is our conviction to state that your Governor is not overwhelmed. He is engaged, present, and making the hard decisions necessary for long-term stability.
“He is not afraid. He has stood with you, the masses, the many; not the few, and that choice is necessitated by the belief; belief in the courage, dignity, and resilience of the Benue people”.
Governor Alia vowed not to be distracted by those who prefer turmoil to progress, adding that political attacks against his administration will not deter his ongoing work of delivering services, creating opportunities, and securing communities.
He called on all citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and to support legitimate security efforts as well as report credible information to the relevant authorities and cooperate with community policing initiatives for the development of the state.
