The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to identify the politicians he claims are sponsoring killings in the state, accusing him of engaging in a counterproductive blame game.
The demand follows Alia’s allegations during a Channels TV interview, where he pointed fingers at Benue political officeholders in Abuja for fueling the state’s insecurity.
In a statement issued on Saturday by PDP Publicity Secretary Tim Nyor, the party described the governor’s claims as “political escapism” and “irresponsible,” arguing that they distract from addressing the root causes of the crisis. The PDP criticized Alia’s approach as reckless scapegoating, contrasting it with the more proactive responses of neighboring Plateau and Taraba states, which face similar security challenges.
“Benue’s insecurity is not unique in Nigeria, yet other states have shown responsibility by tackling the issue head-on, while Governor Alia shifts blame to Abuja politicians, foreign invaders, and others,” the statement read. The PDP noted that herdsmen attacks in Benue, a longstanding issue predating Alia’s administration, were acknowledged by previous governors Samuel Ortom and Gabriel Suswam without resorting to such tactics.
The party labeled Alia’s rhetoric as “marred by distractions, false accusations, and propaganda,” warning that his claims undermine genuine efforts to curb insecurity. The PDP challenged the governor to provide concrete evidence, urging him to submit security reports to relevant authorities rather than making baseless allegations. “To claim Abuja representatives sponsor herdsmen terrorism is a dangerous misdiagnosis,” Nyor stated, emphasizing that such assertions could derail progress.
The PDP also reminded Alia that while he enjoys immunity, the politicians he accuses do not, urging him to act responsibly. The party called for the governor to adopt inclusive and honest security strategies, emphasizing that leadership requires “honesty, responsibility, and a unifying spirit” befitting his role as both a governor and a reverend.
The statement concluded by urging Alia to focus on actionable solutions to Benue’s security challenges rather than sacrificing the issue on the altar of political expediency.
