“Wake Up, Oga!” — Citizen Writes Scathing Open Letter to Benue Governor Alia

A LETTER TO H.E. REV FR HYACINTH IORNEM ALIA, GOVERNOR OF BENUE STATE
Governor Hyacinth Alia, His Excellency, Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.
To Governor Alia,
No, Vex Your Excellency, Given that blood is all over our city streets and rural areas, it appears that things are not going well for our beloved Benue State, so I won’t spend too much time on polite conversation. But I hope you are well and reading this letter.
I am writing to share my opinions on four urgent issues that I feel obligated to discuss as a concerned Benue State resident.
1. Regarding the difficult problem of our people being killed by herdsmen:
As the state’s chief security officer, with all of the public finances under your authority, you have failed miserably to provide security and compassion for your people. them is evident that Benue State is not making the most of the billions of Naira that are allotted to them each month, including the substantial security votes.
As a governor, you should address security risks in your state appropriately rather than playing games of blame. You initially claimed that the frequent attacks were the work of foreign mercenaries; then you claimed that Abuja politicians were responsible; two weeks later, you claimed that certain religious patrons were responsible; and this week, you claimed that the villagers were helping the attackers carry out the horrible attacks. These stupid blame games give the impression that you are completely incapable of running the state. Furthermore, it is unlikely that someone who is directly impacted would want to hear this speech.
It’s incomprehensible that you hardly ever go to the locations of these occurrences to get the help, sympathy, and attention that they need—particularly the recent Yelwata tragedy, which took place just 40 kilometers from your office. Leaving the majority of the duty to resentful Benue youths to protest and draw the federal government’s attention to these outrageous events doesn’t bode well. Even still, given that you demanded arrest and had to fire several of your protesting aides, it seems you never intended the demonstration in the first place.
In the meantime, it is evident that the attacks that have killed more than 600 inhabitants since you came to power were caused by the anti-Open Grazing Prohibition Law, which you abolished through a state conflict, and your incapacity to remain firm in the face of this disaster.

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My recommendation:
Oga, wake up! Ignore the funfair that accompanied these recent high-profile visits to the state, arm the vigilante groups that already exist, such as the Livestock Guards or the Benue Volunteer Guards, or organize new community volunteer guards, teach them how to use licensed firearms, such as Remington pump action guns, and equip and mandate them community by community to protect their citizens.
Since you have a religious background, we know you are religious, but becoming a state governor involves more than just praying. You shouldn’t be in charge of telling us to fast, pray, and show forgiveness to our adversaries. Forgiveness can be negotiated with God if you send them there.
2. Infrastructure: Videos showing mowers mowing the grass along Makurdi city highways in anticipation of Mr. President’s arrival have been doing the rounds in the media since yesterday. My brother, that’s the lowest display of skill. It indicates that until Mr. President indicated his need for an urgent visit, you and the chairman of the local government fled the city in terrible shape. Alright!
It is regrettable that you were unable to provide the state with infrastructure as well. Ignore the one underpass being built in Makurdi Township and the occasional roundabout renovation or reorganization. It is obvious that you have failed after two years in government if no historic infrastructure has been put into service on your second anniversary. With the exception of perhaps a renovated project, Mr. President will not commission any finished projects under your administration while he is here. It’s a shame.
3. Political:
Your Excellency, you did not lead the state effectively. Unfortunately, rather than working with the same system that brought you to power, your first task a few days after your inauguration is to dismantle it. Party or general stakeholder meetings are rarely called. However, you can’t accomplish it by yourself. Your chief of staff is trying to sell you a dummy against Senator George Akume and others; stop buying it. Herdsmen, who should normally stay away from the Benue Valley, are nevertheless besieging the state because of your “I-can-do-it-alone” mentality.
4. Pensions and salaries: You are not doing any better than any other state governor when it comes to paying salaries on time. This is 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.
In order to protect the property and lives of Benue citizens, please disregard those who are singing praises with gomna, gomna, gomna up and down.
I made the decision to communicate in plain English.
Before we start demanding your resignation, Your Excellency, no vex, I want to see concrete steps done to address these urgent challenges.
I appreciate your time, consideration, and understanding.
Regards,
Apeh Peterhot Ofiri-ejorgwu Shrine, Comrade King, Ugbugbu, Owukpa, Benue State.