National League for the Defense of Democracy and Accountability has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state to purge himself of baseless allegations and unnecessary blame game over the continued killings of innocent people in the state and address the situation headlong.
It said the governor’s continuous shades and bulk passing are clear indications of lack of political will to deal with the incessant attacks witnessed in Sankara, Gwer West and other parts of the state.
The civil society organisation particularly expressed disappointment at comments credited to the governor for consistently shifting the blame to “Abuja based politicians” rather than collaborating with the federal government to flush out miscreants and prosecute those instigating the mayhem.
The NGO through its National President Professor John Katung accused the governor of playing the ostrich, cheap blackmail and attempts to play politics with the lives of the people and provide more incentives to the attackers.
It also accused the governor of alleged refusal to honour an agreement to offer amnesty to the bandits which is escalating the insecurity in the state.
It said “the situation is a conspiracy against the harmless people. We have watched videos where this same governor promised them amnesty and where the bandits have claimed the promise is not being kept. So, the governor needs to come clean”.
The CSO expressed concern that the governor could not exercise patience for the release of the report of a panel of inquiry he set up, stressing that his comments will predetermine and teleguide the panel.
The organisation pointed out that the Benue killings which have contributed to the food insecurity across Nigeria can be tackled with a high sense of commitment and not playing to the gallery.
It called on the state government to approach the federal government for assistance to curb the rising insecurity in the state, especially the daily attacks on Katsina-Ala and Ukum and some parts of Apa/Agatu local government Area, rather than making sweeping allegations that can’t be substantiated while the people are gunned down senselessly.
While commending the efforts by the senator, Benue North East in the 10th Senate, Emmanuel Udende, for first bringing the attention of the world to this on-going carnage through motions and sponsorship of bills that seek to address the entire insecurity, terrorism and other vices, the organisation challenged the governor to publish names of sponsors of the killings for Nigerians and the Benue people to see or shut up.
It expressed shock that the governor has chosen the most gullible path that will not restore peace in the troubled areas.
The group expressed concern that no nation or society can make any meaningful progress in an atmosphere of chaos and insecurity. It urged the governor to work closely with members of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders to end the killing, adding that leadership entails critical thinking and not accusations that have no basis and do not address a problem.
“We have been following the unfolding killings in Benue state, particularly the comments from the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, and we feel the governor ought to be more circumspect and measured in his utterances .
“It is our considered opinion that this new wave of killings in Benue state has contributed to the food crisis in Nigeria. The needless and senseless killing of innocent people is simply unacceptable and we call on the governor to step up actions, collaborate with the federal government, stakeholders including members of the state and national assembly, traditional institutions, the youths and find a lasting solution rather than throwing shades and going on wild accusations while the lives of the people are being wasted on a daily basis.
“This is time to end this killings, and it baffles us that the same zone where the governor hails from will become a killing field and all the governor as chief security officer of the state will be more interested in passing the buck.
“Benue state with three senators , Secretary to the Government of the Federation, handful of appointments into agencies of the federal government should come together and end this carnage. This is not the time to make causations that cannot be substantiated .
“We call on the federal government to pay attention to what is coming out of Benue state in terms of these killings and device a means of ending the blood bath”.
The statement co-signed by the secretary of the organisation Dr Ahmad Kassim expressed concerns that the situation in Sankara , Ukum , Katsina and Agatu in zone C should not be treated with levity.
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The statement cautioned that, “Benue is very essential in the North-central zone, some parts of North-east, South-south and South-east.”
