Open Letter to President Tinubu: Focus on Benue State Now
We write to you with an urgent plea for intervention in the dire situation unfolding in Benue State under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The alarming state of governance, characterized by constitutional breaches, rampant insecurity, and a flagrant disregard for the rule of law, demands your immediate attention and action, Mr. President.
First and foremost, we commend your decisive and patriotic action in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, a move that underscores your commitment to upholding democratic principles and addressing political instability in any part of the country. Your swift action in Rivers serves as a critical reminder of the responsibility that leaders have to protect the welfare of their citizens and uphold their rights. We implore you to consider extending a similar intervention to Benue State, where the situation is equally, if not more, dire.
Governor Alia’s administration has been marred by a series of egregious actions that undermine the country’s Constitution and threaten the very fabric of our democracy. The governor’s unlawful suspension of duly elected local government chairmen and councilors exemplifies a blatant disregard for the electoral mandate and the rights of the people. Governor Alia went on to conduct fraudulent local government elections even when his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), also fielded authentic candidates for the same election.
Mr. President, the judiciary, a cornerstone of our democracy, has been under siege in Benue State, with Governor Alia attempting to unlawfully remove the State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. He has harassed and threatened their lordships, the justices of the State High Court. Recently, the governor sent thugs to take 16 judges hostage at the premises of the State High Court and had heaps of sand block the main entrance to the court premises, all in a bid to stop the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal from holding its sittings. This assault on judicial independence, coupled with the prolonged strike of the state judiciary, signifies a troubling erosion of the rule of law, leaving the people of Benue wondering if we are in a dictatorship.
It may interest you to know, Mr. President, that since the 29th of May 2023, Governor Alia has sealed the bank accounts of all government ministries, departments, and agencies from the day he assumed office. The governor unilaterally approves contracts for his cronies without due process. No one else knows how much the state receives now, and no one knows how the funds are spent. There is zero accountability in the state under Alia.
Mr. President, we particularly wish to draw your attention to the escalating insecurity in Benue State as a pressing concern. Under Governor Alia’s watch, attacks by Fulani herdsmen have reached catastrophic levels, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the displacement of countless communities. Governor Alia’s inexplicable defense of the Fulani herders who attack and kill our people, coupled with his failure to act despite receiving huge security votes, raises serious questions about his commitment to the safety and security of the people he was elected to protect.
The Benue governor’s focus on consolidating political power rather than addressing the pressing needs of the state is shockingly evident, Mr. President. Reports of thuggery, violence against political opponents, and the disruption of community events such as weddings, burials, and church services by thugs loyal to Governor Alia reflect an administration that has lost its way—a government that prioritizes political machinations over the welfare and unity of its people. Alia is supposed to be a priest (though now suspended). We are alarmed that a man who preached unity and love from the altar of God is now disrupting church worship and weddings with venom.
Mr. President, we urge you not to overlook the deteriorating situation in Benue State. To do so would not only condone the ongoing violations of our Constitution but also set a dangerous precedent that could lead to unimaginable consequences for our democracy and the safety of our people. The people of Benue State deserve better; they deserve a government that respects the rule of law, prioritizes their security, and fosters an environment conducive to peace and development. Governor Alia is the direct opposite of anything good for the state. He is a tyrant!
We implore you to act decisively, as you have done in Rivers State, to restore order and uphold the Constitution in Benue State, Mr. President. Your intervention is crucial in guiding our state back to the path of democratic governance and ensuring that the rights of every citizen are protected.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, Mr. President.
Please accept the assurances of our highest regards, sir.
Yours sincerely,
Dennis Agema
President,
Network For Transparent Governance (NTG)
