Coordinated campaign to destabilize my administration: Alia condemns recent protests in Benue

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has raised concerns about what he describes as a coordinated effort to destabilize his administration and push for his removal by President Bola Tinubu.

At a press conference held on Wednesday in Makurdi, Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, alleged that recent protests in Abuja were sponsored by political opponents seeking to mislead the public and create turmoil in Benue State.

“These protests are part of an orchestrated campaign of misinformation designed to destabilize Benue State and undermine my administration,” Alia stated. He emphasized that these demonstrations do not reflect genuine public sentiment but represent the actions of disgruntled individuals with ulterior motives.

Alia further asserted, “These individuals, driven by a desire to paint Benue State negatively, appear to believe that they can force President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in our state. Their ultimate goal is to create chaos and instability for their own selfish gain.”

Specifically mentioning a protest led by self-identified lawyers at the National Assembly, Alia called for the Nigerian Bar Association to take action, warning that the integrity of the legal profession could be compromised if such activities continue.

Despite acknowledging security challenges, the governor insisted that Benue is safe, stating, “We want to assure the public that Benue State is safe and secure. All arms of government are functioning smoothly.” He committed to taking proactive measures to address insecurity, particularly regarding armed herders, and urged the media and public to remain vigilant against false narratives.