The Benue PDP has challenged Governor Alia to name the politicians he claims are behind recent killings, criticizing him for shifting blame.
They urged him to focus on real solutions and avoid politicizing the state’s ongoing security crisis.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to back up his claims by naming the politicians he accuses of orchestrating the recent wave of killings in the state.
The opposition party issued a strong response on Saturday following the governor’s appearance in a live interview on Channels Television, where he alleged that some Benue politicians currently based in Abuja were involved in fueling the violence back home.
In a statement signed by PDP Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, the party described the governor’s remarks as an attempt to shift blame rather than take responsibility and implement practical solutions. The party accused Alia of playing political games at a time when decisive leadership is most needed.
The PDP expressed serious concerns that instead of tackling the issue head-on, Governor Alia appeared more interested in pointing fingers at perceived political rivals, particularly those who served in past administrations or are currently holding federal positions.
According to the PDP, the insecurity currently plaguing Benue State is not unique, as neighboring states like Plateau and Taraba also face similar threats from criminal elements and armed groups. The party, however, praised those states for adopting more responsible and solution-driven approaches to tackle their crises.
“Governor Alia, rather than addressing the real causes of insecurity, has resorted to blaming politicians in Abuja, foreign invaders, and other faceless scapegoats,” the statement read. “This raises questions: Are the crises in Plateau, Enugu, and Taraba also caused by their politicians in Abuja? Or is Benue being unfairly targeted for political reasons?”
The PDP noted that the crisis in Benue State long predates Alia’s administration and was a major concern during the tenures of former governors Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom. Despite the challenges during their respective administrations, the party said both leaders were honest about the threat posed by armed herdsmen and did not waste time casting blame without evidence.
In contrast, the PDP criticized Governor Alia’s approach as lacking logic and strategic direction. “Instead of focusing on meaningful actions to curb the violence, the governor has opted for distractions, baseless accusations, and propaganda,” the statement continued.
The party warned that politicizing a security crisis could have dangerous consequences and risk further inflaming tensions in a state that has already suffered too much.
“To claim that federal lawmakers or politicians based in Abuja are behind acts of terrorism carried out by armed herdsmen is not just reckless but could potentially derail ongoing security efforts,” the PDP stated. “This kind of inflammatory rhetoric only serves to mislead the public and obstruct the path to genuine solutions.”
The PDP further emphasized that while the governor may enjoy legal immunity, those he accuses do not. If his claims are rooted in actual intelligence or evidence, he should submit those findings to the proper authorities for investigation and action.
“Governor Alia must understand that leadership, especially at a time of crisis, demands more than accusations. It calls for maturity, responsibility, and unity,” the party concluded. “We urge him to abandon the politics of blame and instead work towards building a secure and inclusive Benue where all residents feel protected.”
The party also reminded the governor of his pastoral background, stressing that a leader with a spiritual calling should lead with truth, fairness, and a deep sense of moral responsibility.
