Benue Killings: PDP throws strong challenge to Gov Alia

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Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, has been urged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to identify the politicians he claims are responsible for the state’s murders.

In a statement released on Saturday, the PDP’s Benue branch charged that the governor was playing a blame game over the murders.

In a live interview on Channels TV, Alia accused Benue political office holders in Abuja of being responsible for the state’s insecurity. The opposition party was responding to his remarks.

The governor’s accusations were characterized by the PDP in a statement signed by Tim Nyor, its publicity secretary, as an attempt at political escapism that is not only reckless but also dangerously diverts attention from the immediate and significant actions required to address the issue.

The governor’s careless scapegoating is seen by the party as extremely discouraging and ineffective.

“It is important to note that Benue’s security challenges are not in isolation in Nigeria. Neighbouring states such as Plateau and Taraba face similar threats, yet their governments have shown a more responsible approach by acknowledging the security realities and taking proactive steps to address them.

“Conversely, Governor Alia’s focus has been on blame-shifting, alternating between accusing Abuja politicians, foreign invaders and other scapegoats, instead of confronting the root causes of insecurity.

“We must ask: Are attacks in Plateau, Enugu, Taraba, or elsewhere solely attributable to Abuja representatives? Or is Benue being unfairly singled out in a political witch-hunt?

“The truth remains that herdsmen attacks in Benue predate Governor Alia’s administration, just as they did during the tenures of Governors Samuel Ortom and Gabriel Suswam. ”

The PDP states that prior administrations acknowledged the danger and addressed it directly, referring to armed herdsman attacks, without resorting to careless blame-shifting.

The party expressed concern that the Alia administration’s attitude to insecurity appears to lack reason and rationality.

“Instead of addressing the fundamental issues, the governor’s rhetoric is marred by distractions, false accusations, and propaganda.

“Benue’s security challenges must not be dismissed or sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

“To insinuate or outrightly claim that Abuja representatives are sponsors of herdsmen terrorism is not only irresponsible but a dangerous misdiagnosis of the problem,” the statement added.

The Alia administration’s careless claims, the PDP continued, will undoubtedly thwart sincere attempts to alleviate the state’s insecurity.

The governor may be immune from punishment, but he must remember that the Abuja politicians he attacks do not have the same protection, the statement emphasized.

“If he genuinely believes his claims, he should present comprehensive security reports to the relevant authorities for appropriate action rather than resorting to baseless propaganda.

“The PDP urges Governor Alia to abandon the politics of blame and focus on concrete, inclusive, and responsible security strategies. Genuine leadership at this critical time requires honesty, responsibility, and a unifying spirit: qualities that are vital for a leader who also bears the moral responsibility of a Reverend,” the statement added.

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