BENUE KILLINGS: ALIA, PDP TRADE BLAME OVER INSECURITY

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State and its governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa, have advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to sit up and provide effective leadership and security for the people he superintendents over.

In separate statements issued on Wednesday reacting to the killing of 15 people at Efeyi Ugboju in Otukpo LGA of the state on Tuesday, they decried the deafening silence of the Alia administration to the incessant killings of innocent people across the state.

In his statement, the state PDP publicity secretary, Bright Antyo, lamented that communities were repeatedly attacked while government’s responses remained reactive, weak and largely ineffective.

“Leadership is not by words but by decisive action, empathy and the ability to inspire confidence in times of crisis,” he said.

Aondoakaa, on his part, accused the Alia administration of criminalising criticisms to escape responsibility for his government’s failure on security.

Aondoakaa (SAN), in the statement issued by his Media Assistant, James Ian, described as “shameful that a government under whose watch communities are repeatedly invaded, farmers displaced, and innocent people killed now considers criticism of its woeful performance a greater threat than the criminals unleashing terror across the state.”

He said the acclaimed efforts of the state government were not effective, reason that Benue communities were still under severe attacks.

Alia, however, berated the PDP and its governorship candidates for politicising the insecurity in the state, describing it as “irresponsible.”

Alia, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, said the blood of the people being spilt, the grief of bereaved families, the trauma of survivors, and the many other losses required compassion, urgent action, and unity, not sarcastic profiteering.

“At a moment like this, what our people expect and deserve is responsible leadership and constructive oversight.

“‎Confirmation by security chiefs abounds to the effect that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration is consistently providing tangible support to security agencies through logistical assistance, intelligence collaboration, personnel motivation, and coordination with local vigilantes to protect communities and restore peace,” the statement read.