Benue killings: Alia, PDP, Aondoakaa trade blame

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, have traded words over the renewed killings in the state.

The exchange followed the killing of 15 people in Efeyi Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area, of the state on Tuesday.

In separate statements issued on Wednesday, the PDP and Aondoakaa accused the governor of failing to provide effective leadership and security for residents, while Alia faulted the opposition for politicising the security crisis.

In a statement, the PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Bright Antyo, lamented the governor’s alleged silence over the incessant killings across the state.

“Leadership is not by words but by decisive action, empathy and the ability to inspire confidence in times of crisis,” the statement read, adding that Benue people were witnessing none of these qualities.

Similarly, Aondoakaa accused the Alia administration of criminalising criticism to evade responsibility for what he described as its failure to address insecurity.

In a statement issued by his media aide, James Ian, the former Minister of Justice described it as shameful that a government “under whose watch communities are repeatedly invaded, farmers displaced and innocent people killed now considers criticism of its woeful performance a greater threat than the criminals unleashing terror across the state.”

He argued that despite the government’s claims of tackling insecurity, attacks on Benue communities had continued unabated.

Responding, Governor Alia accused the PDP and the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate of exploiting the security situation for political gain, describing their actions as irresponsible.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said the bloodshed, grief of bereaved families, trauma of survivors and other losses demanded compassion, urgent action and unity rather than political point-scoring.

Alia maintained that his administration had continued to support security agencies through logistics, intelligence sharing, personnel motivation and collaboration with local vigilantes.

“Confirmation by security chiefs abounds to the effect that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration is consistently providing tangible support to security agencies through logistical assistance, intelligence collaboration, personnel motivation and coordination with local vigilantes to protect communities and restore peace,” the statement added.