The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to urgently intervene in the worsening security crisis plaguing the state. The party, under the Austin Agada-led faction, declared that Governor Hyacinth Alia has lost grip on the spiralling wave of violence, particularly after a recent attack in Gwer West Local Government that left a police officer and 41 civilians dead.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, the party described the attack as a grim addition to the growing list of “unprovoked massacres” targeting defenseless residents across Benue communities.
“It is now crystal clear that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has no strategy or capacity to address the persistent security crisis ravaging Benue communities,” the statement read. “The government’s inability to stem the tide of bloodshed has left our people vulnerable, and the silence from the corridors of power is both deafening and damning.”
The APC also took aim at the Benue State House of Assembly, condemning what it called their “conspicuous silence” and their sudden decision to go on recess amid what the party likened to a state of genocide.
“As representatives of the people, their inaction and failure to speak out against these atrocities is utterly unacceptable,” the statement added. “The leadership of the Assembly has sadly turned its back on those they were elected to serve.”
The party called on President Tinubu to urgently deploy additional security forces to the state, accusing Governor Alia of lacking the political will and concrete strategies to combat the worsening attacks.
“The state government has clearly run out of ideas,” Ihomun said. “Benue can no longer wait. We are calling for a high-level stakeholders’ security summit involving all parties—National Assembly members, government appointees, youth groups, religious and traditional leaders, and security agencies. Our people deserve to live without fear.”
In a separate statement, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the lives and property of Benue citizens. Through his media aide, Kula Tersoo, the governor voiced strong support for traditional institutions that recently ordered the immediate expulsion of criminal herders and terrorists from the state.
“He stands resolute with the traditional institution,” the statement read, “which has recently mandated the immediate evacuation of criminal herders and their accomplice terrorists from Benue lands.”
Alia also directed security agencies to intensify operations and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay. “It is imperative that these criminal elements and their accomplices are apprehended and dealt with swiftly and justly in accordance with the laws of our land,” the statement concluded.
But with mounting criticism from within his own party and an increasingly restless population, the question remains: Can Governor Alia still restore confidence, or will President Tinubu be forced to take direct action to salvage the situation?
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