National Assembly Roars: Gov Alia Under Fire Over Relentless Benue Attacks

The Benue State National Assembly Caucus has strongly criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia following his allegations that members of the caucus are behind recent attacks and killings in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise Television, Governor Alia had accused certain National Assembly members and other political figures based in Abuja of not only inciting the violence but also sheltering the armed perpetrators.

In response, the caucus—through Senator Abba Patrick Moro, who represents Benue South and serves as Senate Minority Leader—dismissed Alia’s claims as unfounded, reckless, and highly irresponsible.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the lawmakers demanded a public retraction and apology from the governor, urging him to clear the names of the National Assembly members he accused.

Senator Moro further called on the Inspector General of Police to launch an urgent investigation into the governor’s allegations and to present the findings to the people of Benue and Nigeria at large.

The lawmakers accused Alia of dodging governance responsibilities, urging him to “quit the blame game” and stop using non-state actors to intimidate political opponents.

The caucus’ statement, titled “Alia’s Many Lies,” expressed shock over the governor’s comments, describing them as typical of a failed leader. They recalled how Alia had previously labeled Benue lawmakers as “bokoti” (meaning “useless”) after they raised concerns about the worsening security situation in the state.

They criticized the governor for refusing to implement the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, despite a Senate resolution urging its enforcement. They also faulted his public denial of ongoing killings—citing a church event in Ikpayongo where Alia claimed that no attacks had occurred since he assumed office in May 2023.

Referring to the recent attacks in Bonta (Konshisha LGA) and Ukpute (Oju LGA), the lawmakers condemned the governor for downplaying the incidents as “mere skirmishes” and then, contradictorily, accusing them on national TV of sponsoring the violence.

They noted that never in Benue’s history has a governor spoken so inconsistently and insensitively about matters of life and death. At one point, Alia blamed external aggressors for land grabs; at another, he defended them as ECOWAS citizens exercising free movement rights.

The caucus members vehemently denied any involvement in funding or supporting Fulani militia attacks. They highlighted their personal and collective contributions toward peace efforts, emphasizing their continued presence in affected communities for condolence visits and support, while accusing the governor of remaining silent or absent during crises.

They described Alia’s statements as a disgraceful politicization of tragedy, noting that unlike governors in states like Borno and Plateau, who rally federal support and stand with their people, Alia has instead insulted and alienated his own legislators.

They concluded that the governor’s conduct suggests he may have been compromised ahead of the 2023 elections.