Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has rejected calls for a state of emergency in the state, describing them as politically motivated and aimed at destabilizing his administration. The governor insisted that Benue remains peaceful and under his firm leadership.
The call for a state of emergency was reportedly made by the Centre for Judicial Integrity (CJI), which accused Governor Alia’s administration of attempting to unduly influence the judiciary. The group alleged that the government was seeking to buy off members of the judiciary, a claim that has sparked political debate in the state.
In response, Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, dismissed the allegations as baseless and unfounded. He insisted that his administration has always upheld the rule of law and respects the judiciary’s independence. “There is no crisis in Benue State. Governor Hyacinth Alia is fully in charge and committed to good governance,” the statement read.
Governor Alia further alleged that those pushing for a state of emergency were disgruntled political figures with ulterior motives. According to him, their aim is to destabilize the state for selfish political gains. “The call for a state of emergency in Benue State is not just vexatious but also a flagrant display of political opportunism,” he said.
The governor reassured Benue residents that his administration remains focused on delivering good governance and should not be distracted by what he described as “crisis vendors.” He urged the public to disregard the falsehoods being spread and focus on the ongoing transformation in the state.
He also accused political opponents of trying to create unnecessary panic where none exists. “It is evident that these irritated political operatives are sponsored by unscrupulous factions desperate and eager to capitalize on any situation for their advantage,” he added.
Governor Alia reiterated that Benue State is currently experiencing effective governance under his leadership, and there is no justification for the call for a state of emergency. He assured residents that his administration remains committed to maintaining peace, law, and order in the state.
