LETTER TO H.E. REV FR HYACINTH IORNEM ALIA, GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE
His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia, Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.
To Governor Alia, kindly
No vex Your Honor, Since blood is all over our city streets and rural villages, it seems that things are not going well for our beloved Benue State, thus I won’t be focusing too much on politeness. Nonetheless, I hope you are well and reading my letter.
I am writing as an interested Benue State resident to share my opinions on four urgent issues that I feel obligated to voice.
Regarding the difficult problem of our people being killed by herdsmen:
As the Chief Security Officer of the state, with all of the taxpayer money under your command and control, you have failed miserably to provide security and compassion for your people. It is obvious that Benue State is not making the most of the billions of Naira that are allotted to it each month, including the enormous security votes.
As governor, you should address security risks in your state appropriately rather than playing games of blame. Initially, you attributed the frequent attacks to foreign mercenaries; next, you said that Abuja politicians were responsible; two weeks later, you claimed that certain religious patrons were responsible; and last week, you claimed that the villages were helping the attackers carry out the horrible attacks. You come across as completely incapable of running the state because of these stupid blame games. Furthermore, I doubt that anyone who is personally impacted would want to hear this speech.
Particularly in light of the recent Yelwata massacre, which occurred only 40 kilometers from your office, it is astounding that you hardly ever go to the locations of such incidents to get the essential assistance, sympathy, and attention. It doesn’t sound good to leave the majority of the responsibility for protesting these outrageous events to resentful Benue youths. Given that you demanded arrest and had to fire several of your protesting assistants, it seems that you never intended the demonstration in the first place.
Meanwhile, it is evident that the attacks that have killed over 600 inhabitants since you assumed office were caused by the anti-Open Grazing Prohibition Law, which you overturned through a state altercation, and your incapacity to remain firm in the face of this disaster.
What I would suggest:
Get up, Oga! Forget about the funfair that accompanied these recent high-profile visits to the state. Arm the vigilante groups that are already in place, such as the Livestock Guards or the Benue Volunteer Guards; or create new community volunteer guards, teach them how to use licensed firearms, such as Remington pump action guns, and equip and mandate them community by community to protect their citizens.
You have a religious background, so we know you are devout, but becoming a state governor involves more than just praying. You shouldn’t be in charge of telling us to fast, pray, and show forgiveness to our adversaries. Send them to God so they can ask for forgiveness there.
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2. Infrastructure: Videos showing lawnmowers mowing the grass along Makurdi city highways in anticipation of Mr. President’s arrival have been making the rounds in the media since yesterday. My brother, it’s the lowest display of skill. It means that until Mr. President indicated his need for an urgent visit, you and the chairman of the local government fled the city in terrible shape. Alright,
It is regrettable that you were also unable to provide the state with infrastructure. Forget about the one underpass being built in Makurdi Township and the occasional roundabout renovation or reorganization. It is obvious that you are failing after two years in office if no historic infrastructure has been put into service on your second anniversary. With the possible exception of a renovated project, Mr. President will not commission any finished projects under your administration while he is here. It’s too bad.
3. The political system
You failed to lead the state, Your Excellency. It is regrettable that rather than working with the same organization that brought you to power, your first task a few days after taking office is to destroy it. You hardly ever call a broad stakeholders’ or party meeting. But you can’t do it by yourself. Your chief of staff is trying to sell you a dummy against Senator George Akume and others; stop buying it. The state is still under siege by herders, who should normally stay well away from the Benue valley, because of your attitude that “I can do it alone.”
4. Salaries and pensions: You are not doing any better than any other State Governor when it comes to paying salaries on time because, since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office, state allocations have increased by nearly 300%, while overhead in the majority of states, including Benue State, has remained constant.
Therefore, please disregard those who are chanting praises with gomna, gomna, gomna up and down and concentrate on what you can do to protect the lives and property of Benue inhabitants.
I chose to communicate in plain English.
Before we begin demanding for your resignation, Your Excellency, no vex, I hope to see concrete steps done to solve these urgent concerns.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness, patience, and time.
Regards, Sincerely
The shrine of Comrade King Apeh Peterhot Ofiri-ejorgwu is located in Ugbugbu, Owukpa, Benue State.
