The number of murders and the worsening security situation in Benue State have alarmed Julius Inedu, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In an open letter to the governor, Inedu reportedly bemoaned Governor Hyacinth Alia’s increasing detachment from the realities that the people of Benue State face.
According to Inedu, Alia and his group prioritized intra-party power conflicts over their fundamental duties.
He claims that thousands of families have been forced to relocate to filthy camps and that villages throughout the state are still under siege due to growing farmer-herder disputes, bandit attacks, and intercommunal confrontations.
He was concerned that no improvement in security or social programs had occurred in tandem with the state receiving larger income allocations after fuel subsidies were eliminated.
He charged that rather than tackling the grave issues facing the populace, the governor was more interested in internal APC leadership disputes.
He stated, “Benue is still bleeding.” From north to south, communities all around the state are under siege. There is still conflict between communities, bandit raids, and the farmer-herder dilemma. They have gotten worse in many instances. The camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) are overcrowded, and families have lost everything—their houses, their loved ones, and their sense of security.
It seems as though this is not grounded in the actual situation on the ground. The people of Benue are more worried about who will control their future and community security than they are about who will rule the APC.
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The APC chairman also chastised Alia for the state’s deteriorating unemployment rate, pointing out that few significant hirings have taken place in the Benue State civil sector since 2014, leaving a large number of young people unemployed and susceptible to criminal influence.
Inedu called the burgeoning number of jobless youngsters a “ticking time bomb” and encouraged Governor Alia to use the extra federal funds available to the state to empower young people, fill important positions in government ministries and agencies, and generate jobs.
He also said that Alia’s successful campaign slogan, “Yes Father,” was in danger of becoming a thing of the past and that the excitement that greeted her election triumph in 2023 was rapidly waning.
The spirit of hope that accompanied your rise is ebbing away,” he continued. Expectations, faith, and enthusiasm are all waning. The “Yes Father” movement runs the risk of fading into obscurity rather than being remembered.
Miracles are not what the Benue people are requesting. They are requesting a genuine commitment to their safety and well-being, clear communication, and purposeful leadership. Serving them, defending them, and restoring their dignity is why you were elected. It’s time to take action.
