ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Benue State Caucus of the National Assembly has issued a strongly worded statement condemning Governor Hyacinth Alia over his recent comments accusing federal lawmakers from the state of sponsoring insecurity.
In a communique issued at the end their meeting on Thursday at the National Assembly read the Senate Majoruty Leader, Senator Abba Moro, the lawmakers described the governor’s remarks as baseless, irresponsible, and a clear attempt to deflect blame for his administration’s failure to tackle the escalating violence in the state.
Reacting to the governor’s public outburst, the Abuja politicians said they were “shocked and dismayed” by his alleged characterization of National Assembly members from Benue as “bokoti” (useless people), and his accusations on national television that they were behind the killings perpetrated by suspected Fulani militias.
“Ordinarily, we would have dismissed the Governor’s rantings as true to the character of a failed leader,” the statement read. “But we can no longer remain silent while our names are being smeared and the lives of our people continue to be jeopardized.”
The Caucus criticized Governor Alia for dismissing motions raised in the Senate by Senators Emmanuel Udende and Abba Moro on the worsening security situation in the state. According to the lawmakers, the governor has consistently downplayed deadly attacks, including describing recent killings in Konshisha and Oju local government areas as mere “skirmishes.”
The statement also took issue with Alia’s refusal to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition Law passed by the Benue State House of Assembly, despite a Senate resolution urging its implementation. They accused the governor of making contradictory statements, sometimes labeling attacks as land-grabbing and at other times defending the attackers as foreigners protected by ECOWAS protocols.
“Never in the history of Benue has a governor been known to speak from both sides of his mouth on matters of life and death. The governor would rather condemn protesting youths than the armed herdsmen attacking defenceless communities.”
The lawmakers categorically denied Alia’s allegation that they were behind the violence, labeling the accusation as not only false but dangerous.
“We unequivocally deny the allegation that any of us is sponsoring attacks on our own people. Collectively and individually, we have stood by our constituents—attending funerals, providing support, and raising alarm at the federal level—while the governor remained largely absent,” the statement said.
They also condemned what they described as the governor’s pattern of politicizing tragedy and failing to show genuine empathy. Referring to Alia’s reported silence following mass killings and his criticism of bereaved communities, the lawmakers accused him of showing “a shocking lack of leadership.”
In light of the governor’s allegations and conduct, the Benue National Assembly Caucus issued three key demands:
1. A public retraction and apology from Governor Alia.
2. An urgent investigation by the Inspector General of Police into the claims made against them.
3. A call on Governor Alia to “settle down for real governance” and refrain from engaging non-state actors to intimidate political opponents.
The lawmakers drew comparisons with other conflict-hit states such as Borno and Plateau, where governors have sought federal assistance and stood with their people, contrasting this with what they described as Governor Alia’s “indifference” and “alleged political compromise” during the 2023 elections.
“This is not governance; it is a tragic failure of leadership,” the lawmakers concluded.
