The recent media outrage regarding the killings in Benue State and other Middle Belt states has been a mix of emotions, deflection, blame-shifting, and an embarrassing attempt to excuse failure. It’s time to call out the Governor and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, for their ineptitude.
The Governor of Benue State is the Chief Security Officer of the state, and with that title comes the direct responsibility to protect lives and property. When innocent citizens are being butchered in their sleep, children orphaned in broad daylight, and whole communities displaced, the buck stops with the Governor. The Governor’s office is not a ceremonial position; it’s a role that demands decisive action, strategic planning, and effective coordination.
Governor Alia’s administration has been marked by inaction, incompetence, and a lack of strategic direction. The Governor lacks reasonable advisers to help him in ideological thinking and handling issues around his leadership. The outrageous claims everywhere is for other politicians to also speak out and act which may be correct, but when did silence from Abuja become justification for failure in Benue as insisted by some of Alia’s cabinet members? The Governor’s blame game is a coward’s game, and it’s time for him to step up and lead.
It’s time to stop blaming Abuja and start taking responsibility. Other governors are acting, deploying local vigilantes, establishing civilian joint task forces, improving intelligence networks, and holding federal authorities accountable. Benue needs a Governor who is proactive, not a sympathizer who is content with passing the buck. The politics of blame is a recipe for disaster, and it’s time for Governor Alia to take ownership of the crisis.
To the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, we say this: your silence and inaction in the face of escalating violence and killings in Benue State and the larger Middle Belt region are deafening. As a leader from Wannune in Tarka Local Government, you have a sacred responsibility to act and protect the lives and property of your people. Your past actions, where you politicized the killings in Benue State, is proving to be misguided and mischievous to many Nigerians right now. Hence you accepted and tag the killings of Benue people “political” during Ortom’s tenure, is the outcry by Governor Alia clearly tagging this current killings political be correct and if yes, who then is behind this demonic and inhumane act under your watch as the secretary to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a true son of Benue/Middle belt States where this siege is persistently happening?
Nigerians are urging both Governor Alia and SGF Akume to take concrete steps to address this crisis. Publicly condemn the ongoing violence and killings, work together to develop a comprehensive plan to address the crisis, and use your positions to ensure that the government takes concrete steps to protect the lives and properties of the people in the region.
The people of Benue and the Middle Belt are suffering, and it’s time for leadership. We need a Governor who is proactive, not reactive. We need an SGF who is committed to protecting the lives and property of his people, not one who is indifferent to their plight.
To Governor Alia, we say:
- Stop blaming Abuja and take responsibility for the security of Benue State.
- Use your office to initiate arrests, push for security reinforcements, and demand justice through lawful means.
- Develop a comprehensive plan to address the crisis, including providing support to displaced persons, ensuring justice for victims, and implementing measures to prevent future attacks.
While the SGF Akume is also expected to shun his political differences and take the killings of his people and other Nigerians serious. we are saying;
- Publicly condemn the ongoing violence and killings in Benue State and the Middle Belt region.
- Work with the state governor to develop a comprehensive plan to address the crisis.
- Use your position to ensure that the federal government takes concrete steps to protect the lives and properties of the people in the region.
The leadership vacuum in Benue State is a crisis that demands immediate attention. Governor Alia and SGF Akume must step up and lead. The people of Benue and the Middle Belt will not forget their actions or inactions. It’s time to act now.
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