OPEN LETTER: Benue Youth Calls Out Governor Alia Over Security, Infrastructure & Salarie
The letter is addressed to H.E. Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iornem Alia, the governor of Benue State.
Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Government House, Makurdi.
Greetings, Governor Alia
No vex, Your Excellency, Since blood is all over our city streets and rural villages, it seems that things are not going well for our beloved Benue State, so I won’t be too preoccupied with politeness. Nevertheless, I hope you are well and reading my letter.
Being a concerned Benue State resident, I feel obligated to share my opinions on four urgent issues.
On the difficult subject of our people being killed by herdsmen:
As the state’s chief security officer, with command and control over all taxpayer expenditures, you have failed miserably to provide security and compassion for your people. Benue State receives billions of Naira each month, including enormous security votes, but it is obvious that these funds are not being used effectively.
Instead of playing games of blame over security issues in your state, as a governor, you should address them appropriately. After blaming foreign mercenaries for the frequent attacks, you later claimed that Abuja politicians were responsible, then some religious supporters, and last, just last week, you claimed that the villages were helping the attackers carry out the horrible attacks. It appears that you are completely incapable of running the state because of your stupid blame games. People who are directly impacted would not want to hear this speech, in my opinion.
The fact that you seldom ever go to the locations of these tragedies to get the help, sympathy, and attention that they need is astounding, particularly in light of the recent Yelwata tragedy, which took place just 40 kilometers from your business. When you leave the majority of the duty for protesting these outrageous events to resentful Benue youths, it doesn’t speak good. Because you demanded arrest and had to fire several of your aides who took part in the protest, it seems that you didn’t want it to happen in the first place.
Meanwhile, it is evident that the attacks that have killed over 600 locals since you assumed office were caused by the anti-Open Grazing Prohibition Law, which you repealed through clashes in the state, and your failure to maintain your composure in the face of this catastrophe.
I would advise:
Awaken, 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 for the protection of their communities.
We are aware of your religious beliefs because you have a religious background, but becoming a state governor involves more than just praying. You shouldn’t come to government and urge us to pray, fast, and forgive our adversaries. They can bargain for forgiveness in God, so send them there.
2. Infrastructure: Videos that have been making the rounds since yesterday show lawnmowers mowing the grass along Makurdi city highways in anticipation of Mr. President’s arrival. It’s the most incompetent display, my brother. It indicates that you and the chairman of the local government fled the city in ruins until the president indicated that he needed to come. Well done!
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Regretfully, you were also unsuccessful in supplying the state with infrastructure. The construction of a single underpass in Makurdi Township and the occasional roundabout renovation or reorganization are forgotten. If, after two years in office, no historic infrastructure has been put into service on your second anniversary, you have clearly failed. No finished project under your administration will be commissioned by Mr. President while he is here, with the possible exception of a renovated project. That’s a shame.
3. The political field
You did a poor job of leading the state, Your Excellency. Instead of working together, it is regrettable that the first task you could complete in the days following your inauguration is to destroy the very system that put you in power. Rarely do you call a general stakeholders’ or party meeting. But you can’t attempt it on your own. For the sake of Senator George Akume and others, your Chief of Staff is trying to sell you a dummy. Stop buying it. The reason the state is still under siege by herdsmen, who should normally stay away from the Benue valley, is because of your attitude that “I can do it alone.”
In regards to timely salary payments, you are no better than any other state governor 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.
Ignore those who are shouting praises with gomna, gomna, gomna up and down, and instead concentrate on what you can do to protect the lives and property of Benue people.
In order to communicate my point, I choose to utilize plain English.
Before we start phoning you to step down, Your Excellency, no vex, I prefer to see concrete steps done to resolve these urgent problems.
I appreciate your consideration, time, and understanding.
Greetings,
Ugbugbu, Owukpa, Benue State: Comrade King Apeh Peterhot Ofiri-ejorgwu Shrine.
